Dallas Stars Clash with Penguins in Central Division Showdown

DALLAS, Texas — The Dallas Stars are set to host the Pittsburgh Penguins on April 5, 2025, at American Airlines Center. The game is scheduled to start at 3:00 pm ET, marking a critical matchup in the NHL‘s Central Division.

With a record of 50-21-4, the Stars are currently second in the Central Division with 104 points, while the Penguins sit seventh in the Metropolitan Division, holding 72 points with a record of 30-34-12. This pivotal game showcases the Stars’ impressive home performance, where they are 28-7-2, compared to the Penguins’ struggles on the road, going 11-20-7.

Dallas enters the contest on a seven-game winning streak after defeating the Nashville Predators, 5-1, on Thursday. Stars head coach Pete DeBoer praised his team’s resilience, saying, “We were just reckless with the puck in the first period. They fixed that, and the game kind of tilted our way following better decisions with the puck.”

Stars forward Jason Robertson has emerged as a key player, scoring 77 points with 33 goals this season. He has notched nine points against Pittsburgh in six career games, averaging 1.50 points per game against them. He commented on the upcoming game, stating, “Every matchup against a great team is a chance to set the tone for the playoffs.”

Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby, a perennial All-Star, leads his team with 82 points this season, and enters the game riding an impressive 11-game point streak, with 16 points (8 goals, 8 assists) during that span. Crosby has enjoyed success against the Stars historically, recording 22 points in 24 games. “We know what to expect from a team like Dallas,” Crosby said. “They’re very disciplined, and we need to be at our best to compete.”

The matchup will see both teams showcasing their special teams. The Stars boast the league’s best penalty kill at 84.9%, while the Penguins rank ninth in power-play efficiency at 24.6%. This dynamic will be crucial in deciding the game’s outcome.

Despite star players missing, including Dallas captain Jamie Benn due to a lower-body injury, the Stars’ depth and recent performance give them momentum going into this game. Coach DeBoer remarked on Benn’s absence, noting, “We’ve got a lot of hidden leadership in that room behind Jamie.”

The Penguins will aim to halt their downward trend, having lost ten of their last twelve games. Head coach Mike Sullivan emphasized the need for consistency, stating, “We have the talent to compete, but we must play smarter and focus on our execution.”

As the season approaches its conclusion, both teams are aware of the stakes involved. The Stars are keen to capture the Central Division title, while the Penguins strive to rebound and secure a playoff spot. Fans can expect an intense battle as these two franchise storied teams face off.