Faceoff is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. ET
Venue: American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas
TV/Streaming: Victory+ / MSG (Rangers local), ESPN+ (national), Bally Sports Southwest (Stars local)
Radio: 98.7 FM / 1050 AM (Rangers), The Ticket 96.7 FM / 1310 AM (Stars)
This cross-conference matchup pits an eliminated New York Rangers squad (8th in the Metropolitan Division) against a Dallas Stars team that has clinched a playoff spot and sits 2nd in the Central Division, still jockeying for optimal seeding in the final week. The Rangers are on the road looking to play spoiler, while the Stars aim to maintain home dominance and build momentum heading into the postseason.
Team Records and Standings Context
New York Rangers (33-37-9, 75 points): 8th in Metropolitan Division (eliminated from playoff contention). Road record of 19-17-2 with a -11 goal differential; they have shown sporadic offensive bursts but overall inconsistency late in the season.
Dallas Stars (47-20-12, 106 points): 2nd in Central Division (clinched playoff spot). Strong home record of 25-11-4 and a league-best +49 goal differential, reflecting elite defensive structure and depth.
nhl.com +1
Dallas is locked into the postseason with home-ice potential still on the table, while New York is playing out the string.
Recent Team Forms (Last 5 Games)
New York Rangers (2-3-0):
L 3-5 vs. Buffalo (4/8)
W 8-1 vs. Washington (4/5) — Cuylle hat trick
W 4-1 vs. Detroit (4/4)
L 2-3 vs. Montreal (4/2)
(Prior results showing defensive lapses in losses but explosive offense in wins)
New York has been streaky, with big home wins mixed against road/home setbacks.
Dallas Stars (4-1-0):
W 5-4 vs. Minnesota (4/9)
W 4-3 (OT) vs. Calgary (4/7)
L 0-2 vs. Colorado (4/4)
W 3-0 vs. Winnipeg (4/2)
(Prior strong stretch)
Dallas enters hot with a 4-1-0 mark in its last five, showcasing resilience and timely scoring at home.
Injury Report
New York Rangers:
Urho Vaakanainen (D) – Day-to-Day (Upper body; practiced in regular jersey, probable return)
Matt Rempe (C) – Out for Season (Thumb)
Vaakanainen’s status is the primary question mark on the blue line; otherwise, the Rangers are relatively healthy for a late-season game.
Dallas Stars (multiple forward and defensive concerns):
Miro Heiskanen (D) – Day-to-Day (Lower body)
Nils Lundkvist (D) – Day-to-Day / Expected out until at least Apr 11 (Illness)
Roope Hintz (C) – Out (Lower body)
Tyler Seguin (C) – Out for Season (ACL)
Nathan Bastian (RW) – Out (Hand)
Radek Faksa (C) – Day-to-Day (Upper body)
Dallas is dealing with significant forward depth issues and potential blue-line absences, though core stars remain available.
Key Player Matchups
Alexis Lafrenière / Will Cuylle (NYR) vs. Dallas defense (Heiskanen if active / others): Cuylle’s recent hot streak (hat trick vs. Washington) gives New York scoring punch, but Dallas’ structured back end will test them.
Jason Robertson / Wyatt Johnston (DAL) vs. Rangers goaltending and checking lines: Robertson’s go-ahead goals lately make him Dallas’ offensive catalyst; New York must contain the Stars’ transition game.
Goaltending: Rangers tandem vs. Jake Oettinger (DAL): Oettinger has been stellar at home; New York’s netminders face a high-powered Dallas attack even with injuries.
Special teams: Stars’ power play vs. Rangers’ penalty kill; Dallas’ depth could be tested, but home structure favors them.
Dallas holds the edge in most matchups due to superior roster health and home advantage.
Series History (2025-26 Season)
The teams have met once this season:
December 2, 2025: Rangers 3, Stars 2 (at New York).
New York leads the season series 1-0. All-time, Dallas trails significantly in the historical matchup.
Betting Trends
Stars are strong as home favorites (W2 entering) and have covered well in recent home games.
Rangers are 19-17-2 on the road but have struggled as heavy underdogs.
Totals have varied; recent Stars home games trend slightly over with offensive output.
Game Odds
New York Rangers 5.5
Dallas Stars – 198
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, April 10, 2026
