Natalie: Wait until you hear who just signed with the Devils, because it might be the biggest reason Dallas lost their five-game win streak last night. We’re breaking down exactly how the Montreal Canadiens’ three-game winning streak matches up against a wounded Stars squad, and whether Justin Hryckowian can carry the offensive load when the lineup is decimated by injury.
Scott: It’s a tough look for Dallas right now. They walk into this one with significant holes on defense and forward depth, facing a Montreal team that has found its rhythm. But hockey is a game of adjustments, and if they can tighten up their neutral-zone play, there’s still a path to victory tomorrow night.
Natalie: Welcome back to the Beatline Podcast Network, America’s number one daily sports podcast. I’m Natalie, and I’m joined by Scott. If you missed our previews of the Devils series, you know we were high on these Stars. Now, we have to pivot hard. Here is what we are covering today: first, the fallout from Connor Hellebuyck’s dominant debut in New Jersey; second, the injury report and how Dallas reshapes their lines against Montreal; and third, the keys to stopping Montreal’s offense and making a bold prediction for tomorrow’s game.
Scott: Right. And for those keeping score, the Stars are currently sitting at 7-4, which puts them sixth in the Western Conference. That’s not where you want to be after starting strong, but it’s recoverable. The key is how they respond to a 5-1 loss.
Natalie: Exactly. Let’s dive right into Segment One. The matchup. Dallas comes off a brutal defeat, but they face immediate redemption against the Montreal Canadiens. Montreal is riding a three-game win streak, coming in at 7-3-2 in the Atlantic Division. Dallas is 7-4-1 in the Central. On paper, these records are nearly identical, but the momentum is entirely different.
Scott: Momentum is everything in the NHL. When a team like Montreal clicks, especially with a winning streak, their forecheck becomes aggressive and effective. For Dallas, the challenge isn't just beating Montreal; it's surviving the initial pressure. Remember, last night against New Jersey, they got burned early. The story here is whether Dallas can avoid going down the hole quickly.
Natalie: And that brings us to the elephant in the room: Connor Hellebuyck. He made his Devils debut last night, stopped 16 of 17 shots, and Nico Hischier scored two goals. It was a masterclass in goaltending. How does a Dallas team, already missing Esa Lindell on defense, prepare for that kind of netminding?
Scott: You don’t try to out-guess him. You generate volume. Hellebuyck is elite, but even he gets tired. Dallas needs to drive traffic to the crease, crash the net, and make sure they aren't just firing pucks from the perimeter. Last night, despite the loss, Justin Hryckowian stepped up with a goal and an assist. That’s the energy they need. But against Montreal? Their defensemen are solid, and their goalie is likely good too. This is a grind-it-out game.
Natalie: Grind it out. I love that. But let’s talk about the Devils' other star, Jack Hughes. He had the assists last night. Montreal has speed, too. If Dallas can’t control the neutral zone, they’re going to get exposed. That was our talking point yesterday, and it held true. Bad neutral-zone entries lead to odd-man rushes.
Scott: Absolutely. And with injuries to Kyle Capobianco and Radek Faksa, Dallas doesn’t have their usual shutdown centers or defensive depth on the fly. Faksa is Out, Capobianco is Out. That means guys like Jaxon Fuder or Harrison Scott might have to eat minutes against top-line talent. If those matchups go wrong, the puck ends up in the Dallas net.
Natalie: So the storyline is clear: Dallas must protect their own zone and limit high-danger chances against Hellebuyck-level goaltending, while simultaneously trying to score on Montreal’s netminder. It’s a tightrope walk. Stick with us, because we’re about to break down exactly who is playing—and who is sitting.
Natalie: Welcome back to Segment Two. The Injury Report and Line Combinations. This is the most critical part of tonight’s preview. The Dallas Stars are dealing with a significant list of absentees. Let’s run through it. On Injured Reserve, we have Esa Lindell, Oskar Back, and Seamus Casey. Out, we have Kyle Capobianco and Radek Faksa. Day-to-day is Sam Steel.
Scott: That is a heavy hit to the blue line. Lindell is your stay-at-home defenseman, your physical presence. Without him, Tyler Myers and Thomas Harley have to carry more of that physical burden. And losing Faksa on the fourth line removes a vital defensive specialist. Who takes his shifts? That’s the question.
Natalie: I assume Colin Blackwell or maybe Matt Duchene sees increased responsibility, though Duchene wasn't listed as injured in this specific brief, so he should be available. Wait, checking the roster... yes, Duchene is on the roster. So he’s a key piece. But looking at the forwards, Roope Hintz and Jason Robertson are still healthy. Jason Robertson scored twice against the Islanders earlier in the week. He needs to find his stroke again.
Scott: Robertson is crucial. But look at the bottom six. With Faksa and Back out, you’re looking at players like Dylan Hryckowian, Arttu Hyry, and David Perron to provide secondary scoring. Last night, Justin Hryckowian led the team in points. That’s a huge boost for a rookie or young player stepping up. If Justin can replicate that performance, it takes pressure off the top line.
Natalie: Justin Hryckowian leading the team in points in a 5-1 loss is impressive. It shows he’s ready. But Scott, what about the goaltending situation? Jake Oettinger took the loss last night. Casey DeSmith is the backup. Does Dallas stick with Oettinger?
Scott: They absolutely stick with Oettinger. You don’t bench your starter after one bad game, especially when the defensive structure was compromised by injuries. Oettinger will bounce back. But he needs support. The power play unit, led by Tyler Myers on the point—he had an assist last night—needs to capitalize on opportunities. Montreal’s penalty kill can be vulnerable if Dallas moves the puck well.
Natalie: Tyler Myers moving the puck effectively is a great sign. Usually, he’s more of a stay-at-home guy, but seeing him contribute offensively is a positive shift. What about Mikko Rantanen? He’s listed as a Right Wing on the roster. Is he fitting into the top six?
Scott: Rantanen is a massive addition to this roster. If he’s playing alongside Robertson and Hintz, that’s a terrifying top line. Scoring depth becomes less of a concern. The issue is defense. With Lindell and Capobianco gone, the defensive pairings are shuffled. Luke Krys and Nils Lundkvist might see more time. They need to be disciplined in their positioning.
Natalie: Discipline is the keyword. No reckless penalties. Especially with a short bench, giving away power plays against a team like Montreal is suicide. We’ll be right after this break. Don’t go anywhere.
Natalie: We are back in Segment Three. Keys to the Game and Bold Predictions. Let’s set the stage. Tomorrow night, October 30th, the Montreal Canadiens visit Dallas. Montreal brings a three-game win streak. Dallas is looking to stop the bleeding after dropping five straight games? No, wait, they had a five-game win streak before the Devils loss. So they are looking to get back to .500 or better.
Scott: Right, they were 7-3-1 before Tuesday. Now 7-4-1. They are still a winning team, but the consistency is waning. The keys to this game for Dallas: First, neutral-zone pressure. Force turnovers. Second, rebound control. Give up nothing in front of the net. Third, special teams. If they can win the faceoff circle and kill penalties, they keep the game within reach.
Natalie: I agree. And I think the bold prediction starts with the stars. Nico Hischier was great against Dallas, but Montreal has its own issues. I think Dallas wins this one. Quietly. Maybe 3-1. Justin Hryckowian gets another point, and Oettinger shuts the door.
Scott: I’m going to differ slightly. I think it’s closer. Montreal is dangerous on the counter. I predict a 4-3 Dallas win. It’s going to be a shootout-style game, lots of chances. Robertson scores twice again. The defense holds up enough. 4-3.
Natalie: 4-3 versus 3-1. Big difference in tone. I like your optimism on the offense, Scott. I’m sticking with the defensive win. 3-1. But regardless of the score, the key is getting back in the win column. Before we go, I want to take a quick moment. If these daily breakdowns are part of your morning routine or your commute, a small tip is what keeps them coming. Please check the link in the episode description to help support the show.
Scott: Thanks for listening, everyone. Whether you’re a die-hard Stars fan or just enjoying the hockey, we appreciate you tuning in. Make sure to subscribe, rate, and review wherever you get your podcasts. It helps more fans find us.
Natalie: Tomorrow night, it’s all about redemption. Can Dallas survive the Canadiens’ streak? Tune in to catch the action. I’m Natalie, along with Scott. Go Stars!