Stars Vs Flyers: Projected lineups as Stars visit after Bourque’s 2-goal game
Stars Vs Flyers — The Dallas Stars visit the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday after Mavrik Bourque scored two goals in the Stars’ 6-3 win, with projected lineups showing DeSmith expected to start for Dallas and Ersson expected to start for Philadelphia. The matchup comes with several scratched players and a cluster of injuries on both rosters, shaping matchup decisions for coaches on both sides. Both teams did not hold a morning skate before the contest.
Projected Matchups — Stars Vs Flyers
The Stars’ projected top lines list Jason Robertson, Wyatt Johnston and Mikko Rantanen together, followed by Mavrik Bourque, Matt Duchene and Jamie Benn; Michael Bunting, Justin Hryckowian and Colin Blackwell make up the third line. Defense scratches include Kyle Capobianco, Ilya Lyubushkin and Alexander Petrovic. Dallas will start DeSmith in goal after Jake Oettinger made nine saves in the Stars’ 6-3 win at Pittsburgh on Saturday.
Philadelphia’s projected forward group pairs Alex Bump, Christian Dvorak and Travis Konecny; Denver Barkey, Trevor Zegras and Owen Tippett are listed together, with Carl Grundstrom, Noah Cates and Matvei Michkov forming another line. Garrett Wilson and Porter Martone are scratched for the Flyers. Erik Ersson is expected to start in goal after goaltender Vladar made 32 saves in a 5-3 win at Detroit on Saturday.
Injuries and lineup notes
Injuries are a major factor for both teams. The Stars list Radek Faksa (lower body), Roope Hintz (lower body), Tyler Seguin (ACL), Sam Steel (undisclosed) and Nathan Bastian (hand) on their injured list. Dallas notes that Bastian, who left Saturday’s game after blocking a shot, will not play and that Erne, scratched Saturday, will replace him. Coach Glen Gulutzan said “forwards Hintz and Faksa could return before their regular season ends April 15, ” and noted Hintz had skated at home while Faksa was scheduled to skate Sunday.
The Flyers list Tyson Foerster (arm), Rodrigo Abols (lower body), Nikita Grebenkin (upper body) and Noah Juulsen (undisclosed) as injured. Philadelphia also noted that Martone, a forward selected with the No. 6 pick of the 2025 NHL Draft, signed a three-year, entry-level contract Sunday after his college season at Michigan State ended.
Immediate reactions and what to watch
Stars coach Glen Gulutzan emphasized the possibility of reinforcements before the end of the regular season when he said, “forwards Hintz and Faksa could return before their regular season ends April 15. ” The immediate tactical picture hinges on goaltending choices and available forwards: DeSmith stepping in for Dallas and Ersson for Philadelphia shift how both coaches must deploy their defensive matchups and special teams.
Key roster notes that could decide the game include Mavrik Bourque’s recent hot stretch after his two-goal performance and the Flyers’ decision to dress or rest certain scratched forwards. Both teams enter the matchup managing minutes and health with an eye toward the final weeks of the regular season.
What’s next
Expect final lineups and roster confirmations near puck drop, with attention on whether Hintz or Faksa make late returns to the Stars’ lineup and how Philadelphia adjusts its scratches. The Stars Vs Flyers meeting will be shaped by starting goaltenders DeSmith and Ersson, the availability of injured forwards, and how coaches deploy their top trios coming out of recent weekend wins; both teams will monitor recovery status and ice availability as they push toward the close of the regular season.
