For an 82 game season there are games at first glance all Dallas Stars fans are circling games to watch, or attend. Today we will be highlighting seven games for the Stars’ 2025-2026 campaign. From reacquiring with playoff rivals, possible playoff previews to potential last meetings against NHL legends, we’re looking at games to take note of.

While the inevitable turns of events will occur, there are likely games that aren’t listed here that’ll go down as some of the most memorable in Stars’ history. On paper, these matchups show the promise of history Stars fans will be talking about long after 2026.

Game 1: at Winnipeg

Opening night for Dallas Thursday, October the 9th will have the Stars hitting the ground running. On the road in Manitoba against a division rival the eliminated in round two back in May. It’ll also feature the battle of the U.S. born goalies Jake Oettinger vs Connor Hellebuyck. Two guys are also battling for the starting goaltending position at the upcoming Olympic games. Where they will then become teammates for only a couple weeks.

Honorable mention; two nights later October 11th, the Stars will be in Denver to take on the Colorado Avalanche. It’ll be their first meeting since May 3rd (not including preseason games). There’s a meeting between these two rivals we will talk more about later on here.

First meeting with Edmonton

Speaking of catching up with recent playoff foes. On November 4th, the Stars host the Edmonton Oilers. This time they’ll see a team they got eliminated by last postseason for the first time this year. The game will also be in Dallas, where that series ended in five games.

It’ll also be a reunion of sorts for both teams. Glen Gulutzan was a former Oilers assistant coach who has received a promotion from a western conference rival in Dallas. Former Star Mattias Janmark is heading into his fourth season in Edmonton too. He played in the Stanley Cup finals for the Stars in 2020, and for the Oilers the past two seasons. Stars fans often remember Janmark for doing everything for Dallas, minus lacking the ability to bury the puck in the back of the net.

Stars last games vs Ovechkin and Malkin?

Dallas might be lacing it up against two future hall of famers hailing from Russia this year. First game is on January 7th at the Washington Capitals. Where (likely) Jake Oettinger, and the Stars play Alexander Ovechkin in D.C. This may be the last time the Stars compete against the greatest goal scorer in NHL history.

Arguably the most underrated player in NHL history is Evgeni Malkin. This happens when you’ve had a hall of fame career, and you play with Sidney Crosby for two decades. There’s speculation that this season could be the last for Geno.

Before the Olympic break

Before the two week break when the 2026 Winter Olympics takes place in Milan and Cortina, Italy, the Stars play an old, yet up and coming nemesis. Former Stars head coach Jim Montgomery aka Monty, and the St. Louis Blues will be in Dallas on Wednesday, February 4th.

Both Dallas, and St. Louis will likely be jockeying for playoff positioning come February. That night will be the fourth, and final meeting between the rivals of almost 60 years. But it might not be the last time they see each other before summer.

Stars televised on ABC

Dallas gets a game on ABC this season, and it’s not against the Penguins. Instead they’ll be playing the Avalanche. The TV networks made a better decision by having Dallas play a rival in Colorado instead of a commercial in Pittsburgh. With the Stars and Avalanche, you have a divisional rivalry with a playoff history that goes over 25 years. The Penguins certainly deserve their time in the spotlight, but they’d be better off playing a team like the Philadelphia Flyers or the New York Rangers in front of a nationally televised audience.

Photo credit: Jerome Miron/Imagn Images

Early April might not be the last time ABC broadcasts a Dallas vs Colorado matchup if the last six years have been any indication. These teams have met in the playoffs three times since 2020, and each of the last two years. This game will likely be ABC’s tuneup of what’s to come. Also let’s not forget that Mikko Rantanen now being in Dallas adds to the fun of this rivalry.

Featured photo: Jerome Miron/Imagn Images

Tags: #ABC #NHL #TexasHockey

Categorized:Stars