Dallas Stars @ New Jersey Devils – Game Preview

The Dallas Stars will attempt to extend their point streak to five games as they take on the New Jersey Devils in Newark, New Jersey.  This will be the first of two meetings this season, with the Devils coming to the American Airlines Center on December 13th.  The Stars lost both games against the Devils last season, who held Dallas to just two goals in two games.  You can see this game on Fox Sports Southwest or listen on the radio at 1310AM/96.7FM starting at 6:00 p.m. CT.

Records and Scores

The Stars head into tonight’s tilt with a record of 3-1-2 and on a four game point streak.  During the current point streak, they have gone 3-0-1 and have scored a total of 18 goals in that span.  Most recently, they are coming off a 6-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks, and the game wasn’t even really that close.  The Stars chased Ryan Miller after scoring five goals and at one point held a 6-1 lead.  Although the Stars ended up being badly outshot in the game, a lot of that can be attributed to the score.  The Stars have not lost in regulation when facing an Eastern Conference opponent so far this season, going 2-0-1 against the east.  This game will be the front end of a back-to-back set with the second game coming tomorrow against the New York Islanders.

The Devils, after opening the season with three straight wins, have gone 0-2-1 since.  They blew a two goal lead late in the third period against the rival New York Rangers on Tuesday and ended up losing in overtime, 4-3.  Like the Stars, the offense has been the story for the Devils so far this season.  They rank fifth in the league in goals per game with 3.33.  They will look to improve the defensive side of the ice against the Stars to end their current three game losing streak.

Storylines

Big guns getting it done for Dallas

Tyler Seguin, Jamie Benn, and Jason Spezza as of Thursday night come into play sitting in the top-10 in scoring for the entire NHL.  Seguin is tied for the league lead with 10 points, while Benn and Spezza are tied with other players at tenth place with eight points each.  All three of them have been absolutely dominant on the current four game point streak.  Seguin has 5 goals and 5 assists and is on a four game point streak.  Benn has 4 goals and 4 assists and is on a four game point streak.  Spezza has 1 goal and 6 assists and is on a three game point streak.  The Stars have been getting secondary scoring from the likes of Antoine Roussel and Erik Cole, but the big guns are once again getting it done for Dallas.

Defense letting down the Devils

During their current three game losing streak, the Devils have given up a total of 14 goals.  That will have to change for them in order to get back to winning, and it starts with goaltender Cory Schneider.  Schneider has struggled to open up this season, posting a 3.13 GAA and a .898 SV %.  The Devils are clearly counting on him to be the guy between the pipes the season, as he has started all six games so far and is expected to start against Dallas as well.  He was incredible in his first season with the Devils last year, and he will have to try and get back to that form for the Devils to have a chance in the unpredictable Metropolitan division.

Injury Report

Alex Goligoski was cut by a skate in Tuesday’s win but is expected to play.  Patrik Nemeth (arm laceration), Val Nichuskin (groin), and Sergei Gonchar (ankle) are all out for the Stars.  Rich Peverley (heart) is on LTIR.

For the Devils, it sounds like Martin Havlat (facial lacerations) will be a game-time decision.  Jordin Tootoo (foot) is out.

Projected Lines

Dallas Stars

Here is how the Stars lined up in practice on Wednesday, except for Goligoski who is expected to play.

Jamie Benn – Tyler Seguin – Colton Sceviour

Erik Cole – Jason Spezza – Ales Hemsky

Antoine Roussel – Cody Eakin – Ryan Garbutt

Shawn Horcoff – Vern Fiddler – Patrick Eaves/Curtis McKenzie

Alex Goligoski – Trevor Daley

Jordie Benn – Brenden Dillon

Kevin Connauton – Jamie Oleksiak

Kari Lehtonen

Anders Lindback

New Jersey Devils

Mike Cammalleri – Travis Zajac – Jaromir Jagr

Martin Havlat – Patrick Elias – Dainius Zubrus

Ryan Clowe – Adam Henrique – Michael Ryder

Tuomo Ruutu – Stephen Gionta – Damien Brunner

Andy Greene – Damon Severson

Bryce Salvador – Marek Zidlicky

Eric Gelinas – Jon Merrill

Cory Schneider

Scott Clemmensen

Prediction

Last year, the Devils beat the Stars 1-0 and 3-2.  I have a feeling these games will go completely different this time around, as Cory Schneider is struggling and the Devils are showing their offense is one of the best in the league.  This game just screams offensive shootout to me, and I think the Stars outscore the Devils, 5-4.  Benn, Seguin, and Spezza all continue their point streaks and Ales Hemsky nets his first goal of the season.

Keep following Blackout Dallas for game previews and recaps, thanks for reading!