Jason Robertson's hat trick propelled the Dallas Stars to a thrilling 4-3 victory over the New York Islanders, marking their third consecutive win. Robertson's three-goal performance in the second period made him the first player since Jamie Benn in 2018 to score three goals in a single period. The Stars, with a solid showing from goalie Jake Oettinger who made 35 saves, maintained their lead despite a late surge from the Islanders.

The game included a controversial moment when a potential tying goal by Jean-Gabriel Pageau was disallowed due to interference on Oettinger. The Islanders managed to score through Anthony Duclair and Kyle Palmieri, but fell short in their first game back after the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament. Dallas improved their road record to 17-11-1, showcasing their strong performance away from home.

Matthew Tkachuk, a pivotal player for Team USA, will miss the upcoming game against Sweden due to a lower-body injury sustained during a thrilling matchup against Canada, where he also engaged in the earliest fight recorded in an NHL international game. Chris Kreider will replace him in the lineup. Coach Mike Sullivan has opted for additional lineup changes, including Jake Sanderson stepping in for Charlie McAvoy and Jake Oettinger starting in goal, providing a breather for Connor Hellebuyck.

The stakes for Sweden depend on the outcome of the Canada vs. Finland game, as their chances of advancing hinge on the results. Meanwhile, Canada awaits clarity on defenseman Cale Makar's status, following his absence due to illness. Coach Jon Cooper has praised goalie Jordan Binnington's performance, indicating the importance of maintaining defensive pressure.

The upcoming international hockey tournament presents an interesting landscape for goalies, particularly for Team Canada, where traditional depth may be perceived as lacking. Jordan Binnington of the St. Louis Blues is expected to start due to his experience, despite a season that has been steady but not exceptional. Behind him, Adin Hill from the Vegas Golden Knights holds the best goals-against average among Canadian netminders, although he recently struggled with some high-scoring games. Sam Montembeault of the Montreal Canadiens rounds out the trio but has faced challenges and calls for replacement.

For Team USA, Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets stands out as a top-tier goalie, although his international experience is limited. Jake Oettinger from the Dallas Stars has proven himself in the NHL but may not see action if Hellebuyck performs as expected. Finland will rely on Juuse Saros from the Nashville Predators, while Filip Gustavsson is in contention for Sweden. Each team's goalie selection reflects not just individual talent but also the overall strength of the roster they are protecting.