Here are the key storylines surrounding the Dallas Stars and their upcoming schedule for the week of March 23-30, 2026.
Clinching a Playoff Spot & The Central Division Race
The biggest news right now is that the Dallas Stars have officially clinched a berth in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. They became the second team in the NHL to secure their spot. Right now, they are in a tight race with the Colorado Avalanche for the top spot in the Central Division and the Western Conference.
Despite a recent mini-slump (going 1-2-1 after an incredible 14-0-1 point streak), they secured a massive 2-1 shootout win over Colorado last week thanks to Wyatt Johnston and stellar goaltending from Jake Oettinger.
Playoff Format Frustrations
There is growing chatter around the NHL’s controversial playoff format. Despite pressure from teams like the Stars and the Minnesota Wild, the league is refusing to switch back to a traditional 1-8 seeding format. As a result, there’s a very real chance that Dallas and Minnesota — two of the top teams in the West — could be forced to face each other in a brutal first-round matchup simply because of the divisional bracket structure.
Jason Robertson Extension Rumors
Looking ahead to the offseason, NHL trade rumors are swirling, but Dallas is reportedly taking a firm stance. Rather than entertaining trade offers for Jason Robertson, general manager Jim Nill and the front office are prioritizing a massive contract extension for him. The goal is to lock him in as the face of the franchise and avoid any offer-sheet drama this summer.
Roster Moves: Dylan Hryckowian Signed
On the personnel front, the Stars just signed forward Dylan Hryckowian to a two-year, entry-level contract. He joins his brother Justin (who recently scored a goal against the Golden Knights) in the Dallas organization.
Stars Upcoming Schedule
The Stars have a four-game slate over the next seven days. They wrap up their current homestand before heading out to the East Coast for a three-game road trip.
| Date | Opponent | Location | Time (EDT) |
| Tuesday, March 24 | vs. New Jersey Devils | American Airlines Center (Dallas, TX) | 8:00 PM |
| Thursday, March 26 | at New York Islanders | UBS Arena (Elmont, NY) | 7:00 PM |
| Saturday, March 28 | at Pittsburgh Penguins | PPG Paints Arena (Pittsburgh, PA) | 5:00 PM |
| Sunday, March 29 | at Philadelphia Flyers | Xfinity Mobile Arena (Philadelphia, PA) | 7:00 PM |
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