Oettinger is getting the start against the Coyotes, and that's a little bit of a surprise. Dallas has a huge game at Colorado on Saturday, and Oettinger has not played in back-to-back games this season under new head coach Pete DeBoer. While there is no confirmation that Oettinger will play at Colorado, the speculation is that the coaching staff simply feels he can handle the back-to-back assignment.
"I played back-to-backs for three years in a row in college," Oettinger said. "Whatever they need, I'm ready. I want to play every night."
Oettinger has played back-to-back games six times since his NHL career began, so if he did play, this isn't anything new. And with both Minnesota (16-1-4) and Colorado (16-5-1) on heaters, the Stars need to keep pace. Arizona is 0-3-2 in its past five games, but is 20-12-4 at home, so Dallas could use a big-time performance.
The Stars have been trying to find their stride, as well, and played well in a 4-1 win over Chicago Tuesday, so they'd like to keep that going.
"The two points are just as important as the ones tomorrow," defenseman Ryan Suter said. "So we need to come out tonight, put in the work and hopefully get the results. Then we can reset and get ready for the next one."
Suter, 38, played at the University of Wisconsin, so he said he too will enjoy the nostalgia of a college rink.
"It's different," he said. "It's definitely something you have to get used to with the lower ceilings and not as many seats, but once you get on the ice, the ice is all the same.
The seats and much of the paint is black in the arena, so that does create some issues in terms of site lines.
"It's a little darker," Suter said. "So, it's a little harder to pick pucks up when they're coming around."
Oettinger said he'll wait until tonight when the building is filled with fans to make his final judgements, but said the feel definitely is different.
"We'll see," he said when asked about the effect of the black background on a black puck. "It felt good today at the morning skate. The ice was great, probably the best ice I've been on in the league, so I'm sure it will be fast and fun and a good atmosphere."
Key Numbers
54.8 percent
Dallas leads the NHL in faceoff winning percentage at 54.8 percent. Arizona is 29th at 45.8 percent.
7-14
Dallas is 7-14 in games that go past regulation, including 3-3 in shootouts. Arizona is 7-13, including 3-4 in shootouts.
222
Stars forward Max Domi was drafted 12th overall by the Coyotes in 2013 and played 222 games with the organization. Domi had 135 points (36 goals, 99 assists) in three season before being traded to Montreal.
He said it
"I think the good thing is we're not where this team was a year ago where you're scratching for the last playoff spot. We're solidly in a playoff spot. We've played some really good hockey, both at home and on the road. Our special teams are in a good place, we know we have an elite goaltender. Now you just get your game in a good place. I know this, I think we'll be a tough out for whoever we have to play."
-Stars coach Pete DeBoer on the final eight games of the season.
Expected lineup
Robertson-Hintz-Pavelski
Benn-Johnston-Dadonov
Faksa-Domi-Seguin
Kiviranta-Glendening-Dellandrea
Heiskanen-Miller
Lindell-Hakanpää
Suter-Lundkvist
Oettinger
Murray
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club.
Mike Heika is a Senior Staff Writer for DallasStars.com and has covered the Stars since 1994. Follow him on Twitter @MikeHeika.
