Dallas Stars Week Ahead: Schedule & Storylines – Rantanen Returns, Hughes Call-Up, Clinched and More – The Hockey Writers – Dallas Stars

Here are the key stories surrounding the Dallas Stars and their upcoming schedule for the week of March 30 – April 5, 2026.

Playoff Spot Secured

The biggest news in Dallas is that the Stars have officially clinched a berth in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. They punched their ticket on March 22 and are heading to the postseason for the fifth consecutive year.

The team currently sits second in the Central Division with 100 points, trailing only the Colorado Avalanche.

The Return of Mikko Rantanen

After missing 15 games due to a lower-body injury sustained while playing for Finland in the 2026 Winter Olympics, star forward Mikko Rantanen is back on the ice. He made an immediate impact upon his return on March 28 against the Pittsburgh Penguins, registering a goal and an assist in a 6-3 victory.

Lethal Special Teams

As the playoffs approach, the Stars’ special teams are grabbing headlines. Dallas currently boasts the second-best power play in the NHL, converting at a dominant 28.8%. Wyatt Johnston has been a major catalyst for this, leading the league with 24 power-play goals.

Cameron Hughes Called Up

To bolster their depth, the Stars announced today (March 30) the recall of forward Cameron Hughes from their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Texas Stars. Hughes is currently having a career year, leading the AHL with 50 assists. Hughes will help fill in the gap created when forward Michael Bunting was injured Sunday against the Philadelphia Flyers.

Stars Upcoming Schedule

The upcoming week is a crucial stretch as the Stars look to build momentum heading into the playoffs and jostle for final seeding in the Western Conference. They face three tough tests:

A Road Trip to Boston: They kick off the week heading to TD Garden to face the Eastern Conference Boston Bruins.

Home Stand Kickoff: They return to Dallas for a heavy home stretch in April, starting with a divisional battle against the Winnipeg Jets.

Heavyweight Showdown with Colorado: The most important game of the week happens on Saturday against the Avalanche. With the Stars actively chasing the Avs for the top spot in the Central Division, this weekend’s clash will have playoff seeding implications.

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