Dallas Stars Face a Juggling Act on Defense as Lundkvist and Duchene Await Word

Thursday's loss to Vancouver brought more than a momentum check, it brought questions. Lundkvist left with a lower-body issue, and the staff is evaluating him today.

Harley is under the weather, but the word is he is expected to play. That matters because the lefty drives exits and hits the weakside seam on entries.

Duchene, who exited two nights earlier, looked good at practice, but he will be evaluated Saturday. Glen Gulutzan kept the door open on every lineup card.

If Lundkvist sits, the right side gets thin and the breakout timing changes. Dallas would lean harder on zone-to-zone bumps from Miro Heiskanen to steady pace.

From a fan seat, this feels like early turbulence, not a crisis. The team's five-on-five chance share has traveled well this week, even with the shuffle.

Saturday brings St. Louis, a heavy forecheck that loves flipped chips behind the dots. Harley's feet help against that, closing the wall early and turning play north.

The penalty kill is the other hinge. Lundkvist's retrievals are cleaner this fall, but if he is out, Esa Lindell likely takes the first touch and rips clears quicker.

Dallas also must mind neutral-zone gaps against the Blues' middle-lane drive. Keep forwards layered, deny the middle, and let Jake Oettinger see first shots.

Gulutzan declined to lock in anyone as in or out, which fits October. The Stars want health, but they also want structure, and that travels to any rink.

Here is the practice read that sparked today's questions.

We know the context around Duchene's knock from earlier in the week. The staff will not rush him, especially with the power play already humming.

Thursday also reminded Dallas how costly loose second periods can be. Against St. Louis, shorten shifts after failed entries and keep pucks below the hashmarks.

If Harley plays as expected, his first pass can beat pressure before it sets. That one clean exit can flip the ice and quiet the Blues' cycle game fast.

Big picture, this is about landing the plane through an early back-to-back stretch. Bank a smart road game, get healthier, then reset the pairings next week.