Denis Gurianov

Denis Gurianov exploded onto the scene in the 2019-20 season. After only recording four points in 21 games the previous year, he tallied a team-high 20 goals in only 64 games before the COVID-19 stoppage. For many rookies, their second full season in the league can bring many challenges. Opponents are aware of your skill and ability and can gameplan better against it. This is what Gurianov would be up against throughout the 2020-21 campaign. Here is a look at how his sophomore NHL season went as a whole.

Gurianov scored a goal on four shots in Sunday's 4-2 loss to Chicago. Gurianov cleaned up a Jamie Benn rebound midway through the first period, tying the game at 1-1. It was the 12th goal of the season for Gurianov, who has matched his 2019-20 point total of 29 in 10 fewer games. His goal-scoring rate has dipped from last season's 20, however, thanks in part to a shooting percentage that has gone from 15.2 to 8.9.

Gurianov (undisclosed) will be a game-time decision for Wednesday's matchup with Tampa Bay, but he likely won't play, Bruce LeVine of Dallas Stars Radio reports. Gurianov's status against the Lightning likely won't be confirmed until Dallas takes the ice for pregame warmups, but at this point he's looking closer to doubtful than questionable for Wednesday's contest. He's notched 11 goals and 28 points in 51 games this season.

Gurianov (undisclosed) is expected to play in Wednesday's contest against Tampa Bay, Matthew DeFranks of The Dallas Morning News reports. The Russian was originally trending in the wrong direction, but after taking pregame warmups he was cleared to return. Gurianov will return to a fourth-line wing role for Thursday's game, as he's produced 28 points in 51 games this campaign.

Gurianov (upper body) posted an assist, three hits and two shots on goal in Monday's 5-4 overtime loss to the Panthers. Gurianov set up Tyler Seguin for the game-tying goal at 4:06 of the third period. The 23-year-old Gurianov missed one game with the injury, and he saw 11:40 of ice time Monday. The Russian winger is up to 28 points, 120 shots on net and 57 hits through 51 appearances.

Gurianov (upper body) will skate in Monday's game against the Panthers, Matthew DeFranks of The Dallas Morning News reports. Gurianov was a game-time decision Monday and will return from a one-game absence. He's tallied 11 goals and 27 points through 50 games this season. The 23-year-old will rejoin the lineup in a top-six role.

Gurianov (upper body) will be a game-time decision Monday against the Panthers, Mike Heika of the Stars' official site reports. Gurianov was scratched before Saturday's game but has a chance to limit that absence to just one game. If he's able to play Monday, Gurianov will be looking to build on season totals of 11 goals and 16 assists through 50 games.

Gurianov (upper body) will not be in Saturday's lineup against Nashville, Matthew DeFranks of The Dallas Morning News reports. The 23-year-old was a late scratch for Saturday's game so it's unclear when he sustained this injury or how severe it is. Gurianov has 27 points in 50 games on the year. He'll be questionable for Monday's tilt with the Panthers.

Gurianov scored a goal on five shots and posted two hits in Monday's 4-3 overtime win over Carolina. Gurianov found the back of the net for the fifth time in his last seven contests when he blasted a one-timer from the right circle to give Dallas a 3-2 lead late in the second period. The 23-year-old has 11 goals and 27 points in 48 games but has seen his shooting percentage drop from 15.2 in 2019-20 to 9.6 in 2020-21.

Gurianov recorded an assist, two shots on net, a pair of blocked shots and a plus-2 rating in Tuesday's 5-2 win over the Red Wings. Gurianov set up Jamie Oleksiak for the Stars' fourth goal of the contest. The 23-year-old Gurianov has produced six points in his last four games -- the recent surge has seen him play much more like a top-six forward than he has for most of the season. The Russian winger is up to 25 points, 105 shots, 52 hits and a plus-3 rating through 45 contests. He's still prone to streaky play, but he's worth a look in standard fantasy when he's hot.

They're hard to watch, sometimes. Maybe that's why we get so emotionally involved, because we know how difficult it is to be good, how much thought goes into every decision, how you can think too much at times. Maybe we appreciate sports because we know how darn hard they can be.

Gurianov scored a goal, added an assist and went plus-2 in Saturday's 5-1 win over the Blue Jackets. Gurianov has clicked with center Jamie Benn in the last two games, as the former has racked up three goals and two helpers in that span. Gurianov's second-period tally Saturday stood as the game-winner. The Russian winger is up to nine tallies, 24 points, 100 shots on goal and 50 hits through 43 contests. He seems ready to finish strong this year, so he's worth a look for fantasy managers in need of some offense.

Before the puck dropped in the Dallas Stars’ contest versus the Columbus Blue Jackets tonight, the scoreboard watch was indicating some positive vibes: the Chicago Blackhawks were tied with the Detroit Red Wings and the Nashville predators were down three goals in their contest versus the Carolina Panthers. Both of...

Gurianov posted an assist in Saturday's 3-2 win over the Hurricanes. Gurianov was credited with the secondary helper on Tanner Kero's third-period tally, which stood as the game-winner. The 23-year-old Gurianov has assists in three straight games. For the season, the Russian winger is at 19 points, 87 shots on net, 42 hits and 19 PIM through 35 contests.

In a season where the Dallas Stars have struggled mightily to pick up points, young winger Denis Gurianov has been a spotlight of those struggles. The kid has only six goals in 33 games this season and does not appear to have the same confidence that he had in 2019-20. When he is playing well, it is very noticeable as he flies up and down the ice. His speed allows him to chip pucks into space and beat players to them in order to get scoring chances.