The Dallas Stars, positioned second in the Central Division with a 40-19-2 record, are set to clash with the Calgary Flames, who sit fourth in the Pacific Division at 29-23-9. After a thrilling game that saw Thomas Harley score a last-minute winner against the New Jersey Devils, the Stars are on a three-game winning streak. Conversely, the Flames also come off a win, decisively beating the Philadelphia Flyers 6-3.

In this matchup, the Stars look to continue their strong performance after previously defeating the Flames 6-2 in their first meeting of the season. The Flames' recent statistics reveal a concerning -20 scoring differential, having allowed more goals than they scored this season. Stars' star players include Jason Robertson, who has scored 25 goals and made 36 assists, while Harley enters the game with a four-game point streak.

In a thrilling finish, Thomas Harley scored with just 4.8 seconds remaining, clinching a 4-3 victory for the Dallas Stars over the New Jersey Devils. The Stars temporarily lost a two-goal lead in the third period, but Roope Hintz's productive night, featuring a goal and two assists, propelled Dallas to their 11th win in 14 games. Wyatt Johnston added to the score sheet with an unassisted goal following his hat trick in the previous game, while Ilya Lyubushkin netted his first goal of the season.

The Devils made a late surge with power-play goals from Timo Meier and Nico Hischier, alongside a tying goal from Brett Pesce. Notably, this marked New Jersey's first game without their leading scorer, Jack Hughes, who is sidelined with an injury. Goaltender Casey DeSmith made 25 saves, securing his 11th win as backup to Jake Oettinger.

Josh Morrissey, the Canadian defenseman for the Winnipeg Jets, was unable to play in the 4 Nations Face-Off finals against the United States due to an illness. Over the tournament's first three games, Morrissey averaged over 21 minutes of ice time but was replaced by Thomas Harley, who stepped in after previously being an extra when Cale Makar was sidelined with illness. In the championship match, Harley played 18:17.

Morrissey's absence was felt significantly, as the Jets' defense relies heavily on his playmaking ability. Meanwhile, American forward Kyle Connor was also a surprising healthy scratch for the game, raising questions about the decision-making strategies on both sides. This development points to the necessity of depth in the lineup and the unpredictable nature of player availability during tournaments.

Matt Duchene, center for the Dallas Stars, recently shared insights on his break and the ongoing 4 Nations Face-Off tournament, particularly the intense USA-Canada rivalry. Enjoying quality family time, he skated with his son and engaged in ice fishing, feeling refreshed and ready for the upcoming games. Duchene highlighted the significance of representing national pride, which intensifies competition, especially between the USA and Canada, a rivalry steeped in history.

He noted the excitement of the tournament, expressing his surprise at how entertaining the games have been, especially the USA-Canada match that featured three fights in just nine seconds. Reflecting on the physicality of the game, he recalled his own experiences and emphasized that while he wouldn’t shy away from a fight if it arose, his focus remains on contributing to his team's success. The Stars are poised to return to action, and Duchene feels energized and eager to compete this weekend.