Dallas Stars vs Los Angeles Kings – Game Preview

Game Preview

The Dallas Stars get their first look of the defending Stanley Cup Champions tonight as they host the Los Angeles Kings.  If the Stars (4-3-4) are looking for a rebound game, the Kings (6-4-2) might just be it.  The Stars are 5-2-1 against the Kings in their last 7 games against them and Kari Lehtonen has often been the reason for their victories.  Both teams come in struggling and winless in their previous four contests.  Puck drop tonight is at 7:30pm CT.  You can find the game on Fox Sports Southwest or listen to it on 1310AM/96.7FM The Ticket.

Records and Scores

The Stars come into this game winless in their previous four games (o-2-2) and have had all sorts of trouble closing out games on home ice.  Four of the five games played at the American Airlines Center have resulted in overtime/shootout losses for the Stars and three of those games include blown third period leads.  The Stars need to learn when its time to buckle down defensively and maybe not go for so much offensively in those third periods if they want to start keeping the extra point.  The Stars are currently sitting 6th in the Central but are just 4 points out of first.

The Kings are also winless in four games (0-3-1) after dropping a 3-2 decision to the Carolina Hurricanes.  They come into this game 5th in the Pacific and are really struggling on the road.  In five games away from Staples Center this season, the Kings are 0-3-2.  While the Stars have struggled with giving up goals, the Kings are once again having troubles scoring them.  The Kings are 25th in the league in goals scored per game, a number they will have to improve upon going forward.

Storylines

Home Cooking

Although the Stars have lost many overtime/shootout games at home this season, they have yet to lose a game in regulation.  Those points that they have earned at home may be the difference in April when it comes time to see who makes the postseason.  The Stars are a bizarre 1-0-4 in the AAC this season, and a little bit of defense may help the cause.  They have scored 17 goals in those 5 games, so scoring isn’t the issue.  They will have to cut down on the goals against to improve their home record and keep a 0 in the regulation loss column.  If the Stars can find a way to sweep this three game homestand, all of a sudden they are 4-0-4 at home, which looks extremely impressive.

“That 70’s Line”

When you talk about the Kings, you almost have to talk about “That 70’s Line”.  Jeff Carter, Tanner Pearson, and Tyler Toffoli.  They are currently the best line in hockey and have a combined 18 goals, 17 assists and 35 points on the season.  However, they have just two points between them in their current four game losing streak.  If they aren’t able to get it going, the Kings could be in trouble as the rest of the lineup isn’t producing at all.  In fact, the rest of the Kings that have suited up for even just one game this season have a combined 33 points on the, two less than the three players of “That 70’s Line”.  If that trio is unable to get it going again, the Kings are going to have some difficulties in the goal scoring department.

Injury Report

Valeri Nichuskin (hip/groin) and Sergei Gonchar (ankle) both practiced on Monday and are questionable for tonight.  Tyler Seguin had his wisdom teeth removed and missed practice on Monday but is expected to play.  Ales Hemsky is expected to play after leaving the game against Minnesota with an upper body injury.  Patrik Nemeth is out for the rest of the season and Rich Peverley is on LTIR.

For the Kings, Jordan Nolan and Slava Voynov will both miss the game due to suspensions.  Defensemen Andrew Bodnarchuck (knee) is also out.

Projected Lines

Dallas Stars

It isn’t known where Lindy Ruff will place Valeri Nichuskin into the lineup, here are the projected lines if he suites up:

Jamie Benn – Jason Spezza – Tyler Seguin

Antoine Roussel – Cody Eakin – Ryan Garbutt

Val Nichuskin – Vern Fiddler – Ales Hemsky

Erik Cole – Shawn Horcoff – Colton Sceviour

Alex Goligoski – Trevor Daley

Jordie Benn – Brenden Dillon

Kevin Connauton – Sergei Gonchar

Kari Lehtonen

Anders Lindback

Los Angeles Kings

Marian Gaborik – Anze Kopitar – Justin Williams

Tanner Pearson – Jeff Carter – Tyler Toffoli

Kyle Clifford – Jarret Stoll – Dustin Brown

Dwight King – Mike Richards – Trevor Lewis

Drew Doughty – Jake Muzzin

Robyn Regehr – Alec Martinez

Brayden McNabb – Matt Greene

Jonathan Quick

Martin Jones

Prediction

The Kings can’t score.  The Stars can’t defend.  Something has to give, and I think it will be a more defensive battle tonight.  The Stars finally get a goal from Ales Hemsky and it proves to be the game winner.  Stars win 3-1 behind a terrific 30 save performance by Kari Lehtonen.  Check back here for postgame coverage and thank you for reading this game preview!