Tue Mar 18 23:40:00 UTC 2025: ## Stars Host Ducks in Crucial Matchup, Rantanen’s Return Highlights Home Game

**Dallas, TX** – The Dallas Stars will face off against the Anaheim Ducks Tuesday, March 18th at 7:00 PM CT at the American Airlines Center. The game marks the highly anticipated home debut for Stars forward Valeri Nichushkin, who recently joined the team and has quickly made an impact.

Nichushkin, who boasts 74 points (29 goals, 45 assists) in 66 regular-season games this season, currently ranks 13th in the NHL in scoring. He’s already contributed four points in his first four games with Dallas, and holds the team lead in assists and points. Interestingly, Tuesday’s game also represents his first-ever appearance at the AAC as a home player. His recent milestone of reaching 400 career assists places him among the top Finnish-born players to achieve this feat. He also holds a two-game point streak against Anaheim, having tallied five assists in those matchups.

Meanwhile, Anaheim’s Cutter Gauthier presents a significant offensive threat, having recorded 10 points in his last 10 games. He leads all Anaheim rookies in scoring and is ranked fifth among all NHL rookies. Gauthier has also demonstrated success against Dallas, scoring three points in two games against the Stars this season.

Beyond the star players, a key element of the Stars’ success has been their deep roster and the strong performance of their fourth line. Coach Pete DeBoer’s philosophy of challenging depth players has paid off, producing consistent contributions from players like Sam Steel, Oskar Bäck, Mavrik Bourque, and Colin Blackwell. This consistent performance has been critical to the Stars’ success, particularly their ability to control puck possession and generate scoring opportunities. Steel, in particular, has earned a two-year contract extension after strong performance. The consistent energy of the fourth line is proving vital to the team’s success, especially considering their contributions to the team’s league-leading 5-on-5 goals.

While the Ducks struggle in faceoffs and power play success, the Stars boast significant advantages in these areas. Dallas’s strong penalty kill will be a key factor in the game.

The matchup promises a compelling contest, with the Stars’ depth and Nichushkin’s offensive prowess facing off against Gauthier’s scoring ability. The game will be broadcast on The Ticket 96.7-FM and 1310-AM. Pre-game festivities begin at 5:00 PM on PNC Plaza.

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