The Dallas Stars have been battling all season to remain in the playoff race in the Western Conference. It's been especially difficult in net, as the Stars have had to play the majority of the season without Anton Khudobin. On Monday, the goalie underwent right hip arthroscopy and a labral repair. The expected recovery time is at least six months, officially closing the window on his return to the Stars this season.

He struggled with the Stars prior to his injury, posting a 3-4-1 record with a 3.63 goals against average and .879 save percentage. Khudobin has not played with the big club since January 15th. Dallas then sent him for assignment to Texas in the American Hockey League. He last played January 29th there.

The Stars have had a lot of bad luck in net this season. Braden Holtby has missed the last three games with a lower body injury. Holtby is 10-10-1 with a 2.78 GAA and a .913 save percentage for the Stars prior to going down.

Also earlier this season, goalie Ben Bishop announced his retirement as he was recovering from knee surgery.

Article Continues Below

The emergence of goalie Jake Oettinger has been arguably the biggest surprise this season for Dallas. The rookie net minder is 19-8-1 with a 2.43 GAA and .918 save percentage in 30 games played this season.

The Stars are in a tight race for the final playoff spots in the western conference. Entering Tuesday night, the Stars have 67 points. They are one point behind the Las Vegas Golden Knights for the final playoff spot. However, they are only five points behind the Minnesota Wild and Nashville Predators for the automatic bid given to a team finishing top three in their division.

It will be interesting to see if Dallas makes a move ahead of Monday's NHL trade deadline.

 

More Dallas Stars News
Mar 27, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; St. Louis Blues center Radek Faksa (12) warms up before a game against the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
Stars reinforce center depth with pair of free agent signingsOwen Crisafulli ·
Calgary Flames head coach Glen Gulutzan against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center.
Stars bring back familiar face as 11th head coachColin Gallant ·
Ilya Lyubushkin with the Stars, Blackhawks, Red Wings, and Sharks logos around him. Question marks around his as well.
3 best trade destinations for Stars’ Ilya LyubushkinBryan Logan ·
Calgary Flames head coach Glen Gulutzan speaks with the the media during an interview after the game between the Flames and the Dallas Stars at Scotiabank Saddledome. The Flames won 3-1.
Stars rumors: Dallas offers head coaching candidate the jobTroy Finnegan ·
Dallas Stars general manager Jim Nill is awarded the Jim Gregory General Manager of the Year award by Nashville Predators general manager David Poile during the first round of the 2023 NHL Draft at Bridgestone Arena.
Stars GM wins prestigious award for third straight yearBenjamin Adducchio ·
Dallas Stars left wing Jason Robertson (21) reacts after scoring a goal against the Edmonton Oilers during the third period in game five of the Western Conference Final of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center.
Stars rumors: Dallas finalizing head coaching decision among 2 favoritesChristopher Hennessy ·