Stars vs Canucks: Showdown in Vancouver

Stars vs Canucks: High-Octane Hockey at Rogers Arena

The Dallas Stars (12-5-3) and Vancouver Canucks (9-10-2) collide in a crucial Western Conference matchup on Thursday, November 20, 2025, at 10:00 PM ET at Rogers Arena. This game features two teams with contrasting trajectories: the red-hot Stars riding a strong power play, and the Canucks leaning on their star duo of Quinn Hughes and Elias Pettersson to overcome defensive struggles.

Team Battle: Stats and Momentum

The Stars enter as favorites, sitting 2nd in the Central Division with 27 points. Their 31.9% power play efficiency ranks 2nd in the NHL, a significant advantage against Vancouver's league-worst penalty kill (67.1%). Dallas also dominates shot attempts, ranking 30th in missed shots (231), indicating precision over quantity.

Conversely, the Canucks are 7th in the Pacific despite struggling defensively (32nd in goals against). Their offense is sixth in the league, but they rely heavily on Hughes and Pettersson. When both players are on the ice, the Canucks control play (51.3% shot share), but they're dominated (44.6%) when neither is present.

Players to Watch: Key Matchups

Mikko Rantanen continues his dominance against the Canucks. He carries a 10-game point streak against Vancouver (14 points) and boasts a 1.50 points-per-game average against them over his career. His chemistry with Jason Robertson (NHL leader in shots with 87) could exploit Vancouver's porous penalty kill.

Jamie Benn makes his season debut after recovering from a collapsed lung and surgery. The Stars captain recorded four hits in his first game back and elevates Dallas's physicality. His 38 career points against Vancouver rank first among active Stars players.

For Vancouver, Quinn Hughes is on a 6-game point streak (13 points) and leads all NHL players in average ice time (26:58 per game). His partnership with Elias Pettersson is vital, but the absence of penalty-kill specialist Teddy Blueger (knee injury) creates a vulnerability.

Injuries and Key Numbers

Both teams are dealing with significant injuries. Dallas is missing key forwards Adam Erne and Matt Duchene (day-to-day), while Vancouver is without starting goalie Thatcher Demko, Teddy Blueger, and several defensemen. The Canucks' 326 missed shots (3rd in NHL) suggest inefficiency that Dallas could capitalize on.

How to Watch

Fans can catch all the action on ESPN+. Radio coverage is available via The Ticket 96.7-FM, 1310-AM for Stars supporters. Puck drop is set for 9:00 PM PT at Rogers Arena.

What's Next

This game could solidify Dallas's playoff positioning or expose Vancouver's dependency on their stars. With the Stars' power play and Benn's return, expect a fast-paced contest. Vancouver's success hinges on slowing down Rantanen and generating offense from their top pairing.