Here is how Dallas lined up at practice today. (Discuss among yourself) Granlund-Hintz-Rantanen Robertson-Duchene-Johnston Marchment-Steel-Seguin Benn-Bäck-Dadonov Smith-Bourque-Blackwell Harley-Heiskanen Lindell-Ceci Bichsel-Petrovic Lyubushkin-Dumba
Nation Sites
The Nation Network
OilersNation has no direct affiliation to the Edmonton Oilers, Oilers Entertainment Group, NHL, or NHLPA
Stars deploy new lines ahead of Game 1 against Oilers

Photo credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
By Zach Laing
May 20, 2025, 16:00 EDTUpdated: May 20, 2025, 16:23 EDT
The Dallas Stars are rolling with a new look lineup in their Tuesday practice before taking on the Edmonton Oilers in Game 1 of the Western Conference Final.
Their top line stayed the same with Roope Hintz centring Mikael Granlund and Mikko Rantanen, a dangerous trio who have scored nine of the Stars’ 20 five-on-five goals in the playoffs. The other lines have all been mixed up, however.
Their second line — which featured Matt Duchene centring Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin in Game 6 against Winnipeg — now features Duchene centring Jason Robertson and Wyatt Johnston. The third line sees Sam Steel between Mason Marchment and Seguin, while the fourth line has Oskar Back up the middle with Jamie Benn and Evgenii Dadonov on his wings.
On the blue line, things have remained the same: Thomas Harley and Miro Heiskanen on the top pairing, Esa Lindell and Cody Ceci on the second, and Lian Bichsel and Alex Petrovic on the third.
For the Stars, it’s a shift from the 11 forwards and seven defencemen deployment they ran when Heiskanen returned to the lineup against the Winnipeg Jets. At the time, they had Johnston and Robertson as the duo without a winger, rotating guys through that spot.
A pair of beat reporters covering the Stars, however, indicated that these lines might not stick and that the team could revert back to the 11 and 7 approach on Wednesday. “Let the Round 3 guessing games begin,” said Brien Rea, while Sam Nestler said “Keep in mind 11/7 is still on the table. Everything can change day to day at this point.”
The Oilers, who didn’t hold a practice Tuesday, had been running their same lineup Monday that carried them through their series against the Vegas Golden Knights, featuring Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl centring their own lines.
Game 1 will surely be interesting to watch to see how the Stars matchup their lines on home ice.
READ MORE
- John Klingberg’s comeback tale with the Oilers could turn into a redemption story in series vs. the Stars
- Where do the Oilers have an advantage on the Dallas Stars?
Zach Laing is Oilersnation’s associate editor, senior columnist, and The Nation Network’s news director. He also makes up one-half of the DFO DFS Report. He can be followed on Twitter, currently known as X, at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach.laing@bettercollective.com.
ARTICLE PRESENTED BY bet365
Breaking News
- OGDB 6.0: Canada goes for gold medal against Team USA (6:00AM MT, CBC)
- Pre-Scout: Quinn Hughes the biggest factor for U.S. to flip script vs. Canada in gold medal game
- Identifying the key differences between Team Canada and the U.S. ahead of Olympic Gold Medal Game
- Team Canada Thoughts: McDavid adds to his legacy, future is bright with Celebrini, adjustments for Gold Medal Game and more
- Meet the Sellers: The Chicago Blackhawks struggle to remain afloat
