Jake Oettinger, Esa Lindell, and Roope Hintz are headed to the NHL’s 4 Nations Face-Off, a prestigious international tournament featuring top NHL players from the U.S., Canada, Finland, and Sweden. Oettinger will guard the net for Team USA, while Lindell and Hintz represent Finland alongside newcomer Mikael Granlund. The tournament serves as a significant precursor to the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan.

Coaches and players view this competition as not only an opportunity for national pride but also a chance to secure spots on Olympic teams. Oettinger acknowledged the stakes, expressing a desire to perform well against familiar teammates and coaches. Lindell praised Oettinger’s skills while hinting at the competitive nature of their matchups. Head coach Pete DeBoer emphasized the excitement surrounding the tournament, noting the players' eagerness to compete at such a high level.

The NHL's 4 Nations Face-Off tournament, featuring elite players from the USA, Canada, Sweden, and Finland, commences on February 12. This innovative event replaces the traditional All-Star Game and serves as a precursor to the 2026 Olympic Games in Milan, allowing NHL players to participate for the first time since 2014. The tournament will run in Montreal and Boston until February 20 and will see the top two teams compete for the championship.

The Dallas Stars will have significant representation, with Jake Oettinger on Team USA and Roope Hintz, Esa Lindell, and Mikael Granlund on Team Finland. Although Miro Heiskanen was initially selected for Finland, he will miss the event due to a knee injury. Additionally, Stars head coach Pete DeBoer, assistant coach Misha Donskov, and GM Jim Nill will contribute their expertise as part of Team Canada.

Evgenii Dadonov starred with a goal and an assist as the Dallas Stars defeated the St. Louis Blues 2-0. Casey DeSmith contributed with 33 saves, marking his second shutout of the season. Esa Lindell scored on a power play, adding to the Stars' impressive performance, which included their seventh win in nine road games. Dadonov's goal came after St. Louis goalie Jordan Binnington lost his stick, while Lindell's goal followed a well-executed one-timer from Roope Hintz. The Blues struggled offensively, hitting the post twice and managing just 17 shots on goal against a solid Dallas defense.

The Stars' recent surge is notable given their earlier struggles on the road this season, where they lost eight of their first twelve games. Currently, they are poised for a rematch against the Vegas Golden Knights, while the Blues aim to regroup against the Vancouver Canucks.

Evgenii Dadonov led the Dallas Stars to a decisive 2-0 victory over the St. Louis Blues on Saturday night, contributing a goal and an assist. Casey DeSmith delivered a stellar performance in goal, achieving his second shutout of the season with 33 saves. The Stars, who have now won seven of their last nine road games, took control early when Dadonov scored at 7:07 in the first period, capitalizing on an error from Blues goalie Jordan Binnington, who lost his stick.

Esa Lindell doubled the Stars' lead with a power-play goal later in the first period, set up by Roope Hintz. The Blues struggled to find the back of the net, managing only 19 shots on goal throughout the game. Despite several close calls, including a near-goal from Mathieu Joseph that hit the post, the Blues were unable to capitalize on their opportunities. Dallas now prepares for a rematch against the Golden Knights, while the Blues look to regroup before facing Vancouver.

The Dallas Stars have garnered a legacy filled with exceptional talent, prompting NHL.com to compile an all-time team roster to celebrate their 25 years. The first team highlights standouts such as forwards Jamie Benn, Jere Lehtinen, and Mike Modano, alongside defensemen Miro Heiskanen and Sergei Zubov, with Marty Turco as the goaltender.

The second team features Brenden Morrow, Joe Pavelski, and Tyler Seguin as forwards, with John Klingberg and Esa Lindell on defense, and Ed Belfour guarding the net. Meanwhile, Stars insider Lia Assimakopoulos shared her own selections, showcasing her preferences that mirror some of NHL.com’s choices.