The Dallas Stars (25-7-5) face the Detroit Red Wings (21-13-3) in an interconference clash at Little Caesars Arena, where two of the league’s hottest December teams collide. Dallas enters on a five-game winning streak, boasting the NHL’s second-best record and a stingy defense allowing just 2.54 goals per game (3rd in league). Detroit has won seven of its last nine, climbing the Atlantic Division standings with balanced scoring (3.24 GPG, 12th) and timely goaltending. This marks the first meeting of the 2025-26 season between these Original Six rivals (Detroit founded 1926, Dallas as Minnesota North Stars in 1967). The Stars’ road prowess (13-4-3 away) could test Detroit’s home-ice edge (11-6-2), but the Red Wings’ recent surge, including a home-and-home sweep of Washington, suggests a tight, low-scoring affair potentially decided by special teams—Dallas ranks 5th on the power play (25.6%), while Detroit’s penalty kill sits at 82.4% (10th).
Venue Location
Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, MI. This 19,515-seat venue has been a fortress for the Red Wings lately, with an 11-6-2 home record and fans fueling their recent 5-2-0 December home stretch.
Puckdrop is set for
6:30 PM ET. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+, Hulu, and local feeds (Bally Sports Southwest for Stars, Bally Sports Detroit for Red Wings), with radio on 96.7 The Ticket (Detroit) and 1310 The Ticket (Dallas).
Injury Report
Both teams are relatively healthy entering the matchup, but Dallas is without a key forward for the season, while Detroit misses a veteran scorer. Reports as of December 22 evening; monitor for updates.
Dallas Stars:
Out: Tyler Seguin (ACL surgery – out for remainder of regular season, underwent procedure on Dec. 16).
Questionable/Probable: No major issues reported; Roope Hintz (previous slash injury in May 2025) is fully healthy and playing.
Notable Notes: Seguin’s absence (10 goals, 15 assists in 25 games) depletes secondary scoring, forcing more reliance on the top line. The Stars’ depth has mitigated this, with Wyatt Johnston stepping up (14 goals).
Detroit Red Wings:
Out: Patrick Kane (upper body – missing fifth straight game, sidelined since Dec. 13; expected return unclear but not long-term).
Questionable/Probable: No others listed; Mason Appleton (lower body) recently activated off IR and played Dec. 21.
Notable Notes: Kane’s injury (9 goals, 18 assists in 30 games) hurts wing depth, leading to callups like John Leonard (2 goals in 4 games). Simon Edvinsson (previous illness) is back, bolstering the blue line.
Player Matchups
Without Seguin and Kane, the focus shifts to top-line battles and goaltending duels. Dallas’ balanced attack (top-5 in goals at 3.78 GPG) faces Detroit’s opportunistic offense, but the Stars’ elite defense (2.54 GAA) could stifle the Wings’ speed.
Jason Robertson (DAL) vs. Moritz Seider (DET): Robertson (23 goals, league’s 4th) brings elite sniping (7 power-play goals) against Seider (5 goals, 18 assists), Detroit’s shutdown defenseman. Seider’s physicality (82 hits) could disrupt Robertson’s rhythm, but Dallas’ winger thrives in high-pressure spots (recent hat trick vs. Anaheim).
Roope Hintz (DAL) vs. Dylan Larkin (DET): Speed vs. speed in the center matchup. Hintz (18 goals, 22 assists) anchors Dallas’ top line with playmaking, facing Larkin (15 goals, 20 assists), Detroit’s captain and faceoff specialist (54.2% wins). Larkin’s two-way play tests Hintz’s defensive lapses.
Jake Oettinger (DAL) vs. Cam Talbot (DET): Oettinger (16 wins, .922 SV%, 2.28 GAA) is Vezina-caliber, facing Talbot (12 wins, .910 SV%, 2.68 GAA) or Alex Lyon if rotated. Oettinger’s road dominance (.930 SV%) could exploit Detroit’s 3.12 GPG allowed at home.
Other Key Battles: Wyatt Johnston (DAL, 14 goals) vs. Lucas Raymond (DET, 12 goals)—youthful scoring threats. Esa Lindell (DAL) pairs against Alex DeBrincat (DET, 14 goals) to limit perimeter shots.
Recent Team Forms
Both squads are riding hot streaks, with Dallas winning five straight and Detroit victorious in seven of nine.
Dallas Stars (Last 5 Games):
| Date | Opponent | Result |
| Dec 21 | vs. Toronto Maple Leafs | W 5-1 |
| Dec 19 | vs. Anaheim Ducks | W 8-3 |
| Dec 18 | vs. San Jose Sharks | W 5-3 |
| Dec 7 | vs. Pittsburgh Penguins | W 3-2 |
| Dec 5 | vs. San Jose Sharks | W 4-1 |
Form: 5-0-0 in last 5, averaging 5.0 GPG while allowing 2.0. Offensive explosions (8 goals vs. Anaheim) and shutout streaks highlight their surge, with Oettinger posting a .950 SV% in December.
Detroit Red Wings (Last 5 Games):
| Date | Opponent | Result |
| Dec 21 | vs. Washington Capitals | W 3-2 (OT) |
| Dec 20 | at Washington Capitals | W 5-2 |
| Dec 13 | vs. Seattle Kraken | W 4-2 |
| Dec 11 | at Calgary Flames | L 2-3 |
| Dec 8 | vs. Vancouver Canucks | W 4-0 |
Form: 4-1-0 in last 5, averaging 3.6 GPG while allowing 2.4. Back-to-back wins over Washington showcased defense (held Caps to 2.0 GPG average), with Seider’s OT heroics and Talbot’s .920 SV% fueling the run.
Series History
Detroit holds a slight all-time edge: 133-126-34-4 in regular-season games (51.3% win rate for Red Wings), including playoffs. At Little Caesars Arena (and predecessors), the Wings are 79-58-18-2 vs. Dallas. Recently, Detroit has won four of the last five meetings, including a 6-4 victory on April 14, 2025, and 4-1 on January 19, 2025 (prior season). Games average 5.8 total goals in the last 10, with Dallas 3-7 straight up in that span.
Betting Trends
Dallas is 22-15 ATS overall and 14-9 ATS on the road. Detroit is 19-18 ATS and 10-9 ATS at home. Over is 4-1 in Detroit’s last 5 home games and 3-2 in series matchups. Under is 3-2 in Dallas’ last 5 road tilts.
Stars 8-2 ATS in last 10 vs. Atlantic teams; Red Wings 6-4 ATS after a win. Series overs hit in 4 of last 7.
Game Odds
Dallas Stars – 130
Detroit Red Wings 6.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, December 22, 2025
