Dallas Stars vs Los Angeles Kings Official Preview
The Dallas Stars (5-6-4) will look to continue their winning ways as they take on the Los Angeles Kings (8-4-4) tonight at the Staple Center. The game starts late because it’s in LA (9:30 PM CT) and it’ll be broadcasted on Fox Sports South West Plus, it can also be heard on the radio via 1310 the Ticket.
Records and Scores
This season has been rather disappointing thus far for a Stars team that had many high expectations. Dallas, however, got back in the win column with Ryan Garbutt’s shorthanded goal in the dying minutes of their match up against the Arizona Coyotes. That was their first victory since beating the New Jersey Devils on October 24th in a shootout.
The Kings lost to the Anaheim Ducks last night in a shootout by a score of 6-5. The game was very back and forth, but the Ducks were able to mount a third period comeback to steal the extra point from the Kings, leaving them tired and with only one point to show for their effort.
Story Lines
Tyler Seguin
During Dallas’ losing streak the one highlight was Tyler Seguin’s unbelievable display of his scoring ability. He has managed 5 goals in the last two games and is leading the league with 12 on the season thus far. Seguin’s dominance on the ice is something Stars fans can only hope will continue; however, it will be increasingly difficult because teams will be devoting more of their defensive game to stopping his offensive attempts.
Financial Support
The Los Angeles Kings were working with a depleted blue line in their game against the Vancouver Canucks on November 8th because they were $160 short of the cap space required to make a call-up and one of their defenseman is ineligible to play. Despite this financial issue they still beat the Canucks 5-1. Since the incident the team has signed defenseman Jamie McBain to a two-way $550,000 one-year contract, the minimum amount an NHL player can make.
Indefinite Suspension
The National Hockey League, following a domestic violence charge against him in late October, indefinitely suspended Los Angeles defenseman Slava Voynov. He is still able to use the King’s ice, but the NHL prohibited his involvement in any team activities until his case is sorted out. Voynov’s $4.1 million cap hit is still in play until his legal issues are concluded.
Injury Report
The Dallas Stars will be without defenseman Patrik Nemeth (arm laceration) for the remainder of the regular season. Rich Peverley (heart) is still on long term IR, while forward Val Nichushkin (groin) is unlikely to play. Cody Eakin (upper body) skated in Los Angeles on Wednesday night, but will be a game time decision and newly acquired Travis Moen will not play due to issues with getting a visa. Moen’s debut as a Star could be as soon as Saturday’s match-up against the Minnesota Wild.
Los Angeles is without defensemen Robyn Regehr (undisclosed) and Andrew Bodnarchuk (knee) as well as Voynov who is suspended indefinitely.
Projected Lines
Dallas Stars
Jamie Benn – Jason Spezza – Tyler Seguin
Antoine Roussel – Cody Eakin – Ryan Garbutt
Curtis McKenzie – Vernon Fiddler – Patrick Eaves
Erik Cole – Shawn Horcoff – Ales Hemsky/Colton Scevior
Alex Goligoski – Trevor Daley
Jordie Benn – Brenden Dillon
John Klingberg – Jamie Oleksiak
Kari Lehtonen (expected starter)
Anders Lindback
Los Angeles Kings
Marian Gaborik – Anze Kopitar – Justin Williams
Tanner Pearson – Jeff Carter – Tyler Toffoli
Dwight King – Mike Richards – Dustin Brown
Kyle Clifford – Jarret Stoll – Trevor Lewis
Jake Muzzin – Drew Doughty
Alec Martinez – Matt Greene
Jordan Nolan – Brayden McNabb
Jonathan Quick (expected starter)
Martin Jones
Prediction
Although Dallas got off their losing skid last game, I predict that they’ll go back to their losing ways. I anticipate that expected starter Jonathan Quick and the solid defense of the LA Kings will sufficiently silence the offensive attempts by the Stars. Dallas will come out strong, but won’t be able to keep up as Kopitar will continue his success against Dallas and lead the Kings to victory 3-1.
Be sure to check back after the game for post-game analysis!