Bruins vs. Stars: Zacha and Zadorov Return, Swayman Starts in Dallas

Boston’s five-game winning streak and unbeaten road trip face a stern test in Dallas, where the Bruins meet the Stars on Tuesday night. Jeremy Swayman gets the start, Pavel Zacha returns from an upper-body injury and Nikita Zadorov is back on defense as Boston tries to finish its four-game trip with another win.

The Bruins enter at 7-2-0, leading the Atlantic Division by two points over Tampa Bay, Ottawa and Florida. They’ve gone 4-1-0 on the road and are scoring 3.78 goals per game, fifth in the league. Dallas is 4-3-1 and sits fifth in the Central Division, but the Stars arrive home after taking two straight road games.

There’s a clear matchup within the matchup in net. Dallas has allowed a league-low 1.50 goals per game, while Boston ranks second at 2.11. Jake Oettinger has been exceptional across six appearances: a 3-2-1 record, a 1.00 goals-against average and a .952 save percentage. Each of his three wins has been a shutout. Swayman, meanwhile, is 6-1-0 with a 1.85 GAA and .934 save percentage.

Boston gets two lineup returns

Zacha was listed as day-to-day with an upper-body injury, but he took part fully in Monday’s practice and is set to play. Zadorov, a healthy scratch Saturday, also returns. Sean Kuraly and Jonathan Aspirot, who played Saturday, are out of the lineup.

Coach Marco Sturm said Swayman would start and described Zacha as looking ready. On Zadorov’s return, Sturm said the decision to sit him had more than one reason, including his belief that the defenseman could come back as a better player. He said Zadorov needs to play his game and be “rock solid.”

Sturm also pointed to last season’s difficult visit to Dallas as a reminder that Boston can’t ease into the final game of a trip. The Bruins lost 6-2 there in January, splitting last season’s two-game series after winning in Boston. Sturm called the Stars a veteran group playing good hockey and said his team needed to finish the trip properly. The Bruins will have to stay engaged against a club that has started unevenly but is coming home with momentum.

Expected Bruins lineup

Forwards

Morgan Geekie – Pavel Zacha – David Pastrnak

Marat Khusnutdinov – Fraser Minten – JJ Peterka

Casey Mittelstadt – Elias Lindholm – James Hagens

Tanner Jeannot – Matt Poitras – Mark Kastelic

Defensemen

Hampus Lindholm – Charlie McAvoy

Nikita Zadorov – Will Borgen

Frederic Brunet – Mason Lohrei

Lineup source: Belle Fraser, Boston Bruins.

Starting goalie

Jeremy Swayman (6-1-0, 1.85 GAA, .934 SV%). The start was confirmed by Adam Pellerin of NESN.

Expected Dallas lineup

Forwards

Sam Steel – Wyatt Johnston – Mikko Rantanen

Jason Robertson – Roope Hintz – Tyler Seguin

Justin Hryckowian – Arttu Hyry – Jamie Benn

Joel Kiviranta – Radek Faksa – Colin Blackwell

Defensemen

Kyle Capobianco – Miro Heiskanen

Thomas Harley – Nils Lundkvist

Lian Bischel – Tyler Myers

Dallas lineup and goaltender information: Bruce LeVine, Dallas Stars Radio.

Starting goalie

Jake Oettinger (3-2-1, 1.00 GAA, .952 SV%). His three wins this season have all come via shutout.

Special teams and game details

Boston’s power play is converting at 25.0 percent, eighth in the league, and its penalty kill is at 81.3 percent, 15th. Dallas’ power play sits at 15.0 percent, 24th, while its 89.3 percent penalty kill ranks fourth. That contrast puts pressure on Boston to make its chances count and avoid giving the Stars extra opportunities.

The game starts at 8:00 p.m. and airs on ESPN in the United States and SN+ in Canada. Radio coverage is on 98.5 The Sports Hub. The teams meet again in Boston on Thursday, Jan. 14, after Tuesday’s game in Dallas.

Boston’s next games are at home against Nashville on Thursday, Oct. 22, and San Jose on Saturday, Oct. 24, followed by road games at Carolina on Tuesday, Oct. 27, and St. Louis on Thursday, Oct. 29. The Bruins then host Chicago on Saturday, Oct. 31. A strong finish in Dallas would send them into that stretch with their road momentum intact.