The Dallas Stars will face the Nashville Predators on Thursday in the second game of a critical six-game homestand. With the team aiming to regain momentum after a demanding stretch of schedule, much of the team’s success goes in tandem with center Roope Hintz.
Dallas has been nearly unbeatable when Hintz finds the back of the net, boasting a 10-1 record this season. In contrast, Hintz has been held without a point in seven of the Stars’ nine losses. It’s clear that the team’s success is closely tied to Hintz’s performance.
Widely regarded are the team’s best two-way player, Hintz combines size, speed, offensive creativity and exceptional penalty-killing. He has a +8 rating in wins countered by a -6 rating in losses.
Hintz has tallied 11 goals, five assists and 61 shots on net through 26 games this season. While the Stars’ top line has yet to hit its stride, Hintz, along with Wyatt Johnston and Jason Robertson, is starting to heat up as the team’s enjoys this six-game homestand.
In a 6-2 win over Calgary on Sunday, Hintz ignited a four-goal third period. The top line was the best trio on the ice, with Johnston and Robertson also adding goals. Hintz’s breakaway speed poses a significant threat every time he gets the puck, highlighted here in a goal against Tampa Bay on Nov. 23.
THE FLYING FINN STRIKES AGAIN ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/IYFHkTTwZg
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) November 24, 2024
The 28-year-old Hintz is in his seventh year in the NHL. The Stars selected the Nokia, Finland, native in the second round (No. 49 overall) of the 2015 NHL Draft. In the past three-plus seasons, Hintz’s has been a rock in the Stars lineup, playing nearly 95% (259 of 273 games) of the team’s regular season games. He’s tallied more than 30 goals in his last three campaigns.
With the Stars aiming to build momentum during their homestand, Hintz’s consistent play will be crucial in determining how far this team can go. If he can continue to perform at a high level, and the top line can find its stride, the Stars are a tough out in any game.
Home cooking at the AAC
Playing at home has been a significant advantage for the Stars, who have won 11 of 12 games at the AAC this season, outscoring their opponents 42-20 on home ice.
The Stars have faced a grueling schedule in the first few months of the season. The team recently polished off a 13-game stretch in 25 days that included trips to both East and West Coasts. Dallas also traveled to Finland in early November to take part in the NHL Global Series.
“That’s probably the toughest portion of our schedule in the rearview mirror,” coach Pete DeBoer said about the last month of games.
The Stars next five games will be at home and nine of their next 11 before a five-game East Coast stretch in January.
Dallas Stars Lineup
Jason Robertson (21) – Roope Hintz (24) – Wyatt Johnston (53)
Mason Marchment (27) – Matt Duchene (95) – Logan Stankoven (11)
Jamie Benn (14) – Sam Steel (18) – Evgenii Dadonov (63)
Oskar Bäck (10) – Mavrik Bourque (22) – Colin Blackwell (15)
Miro Heiskanen (4) – Ilya Lyubushkin (46)
Esa Lindell (23) – Nils Lundqvist (5)
Thomas Harley (55) – Lian Bichsel (6)
Jake Oettinger (29)
Casey DeSmith (1)
Lineup notes: The Stars called up defenseman Lian Bichsel, a first-round pick in 2022. Bichel will replace Matt Dumba on the blue line. Jake Oettinger will make his 21st start of the season.
Here Comes the Boom.
— 100 Degree Hockey (@100degreehockey) December 12, 2024
Dallas Stars Recall Defenseman Lian Bichselhttps://t.co/oU5bbJrhv7 pic.twitter.com/TIYHwDKUN2
Nashville Predators
Filip Forsberg (9) – Steven Stamkos (91) – Jonathan Marchessault (81)
Juuso Parssinen (13) – Fedor Svechkov (40) – Zachary L’Heureux (68)
Mark Jankowski (17) – Tommy Novak (82) – Luke Evangelista (77)
Cole Smith (36) – Michael McCarron (47) – Colton Sissons (10)
Adam Wilsby (83) – Roman Josi (59)
Brady Skjei (76) – Luke Schenn (2)
Marc Del Gaizo (7) – Nick Blankenburg (37)
Juuse Saros (74)
Justus Annunen (29)
Lineup notes: Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi exited Tuesday’s game against Calgary with a lower-body injury. The team’s captain left after logging just 5:32 of ice time. There’s was no injury update, but the Predators have called up defenseman Kevin Gravel from Milwaukee. Josi leads the Predators with 23 points this season.
Things to watch
Predators’ Struggles
Nashville comes to Dallas having lost eight straight games and winning only four times in their last 21 games. The Predators have won the fewest games (7) in the NHL. Although the Predators are one of the league’s most struggling teams and are missing their leading scorer in Josi, Thursday might seem like an easy win for the Stars. However, as divisional opponents, the Predators’ resilient “wounded bear” mentality could make the matchup more challenging than expected.
How to watch: Puck drop at 7 p.m. from the AAC. Watch on Victory+ and listen to the radio call on The Ticket.