Stars Conclude 3-Game Road Trip Against Bruins
By Marcus Gatto
Jan 31, 2015; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Dallas Stars forward Tyler Seguin (91) against the Winnipeg Jets during the first period at MTS Centre. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports
The Dallas Stars conclude a three game Eastern conference road trip tonight when they visit the Boston Bruins. This will be the second and final meeting between the two teams this season. The Bruins took a 3-1 decision back on January 20th in Dallas. The Stars will look to try and wrap up the road trip on a high note before heading home to meet the Florida Panthers on Friday night. The Stars are 1-1 on the trip so far. This game will be picked up by Canada’s national television provider Sportsnet and carried by the usual FSSW crew tonight beginning at 6pm CST.
Records and Scores
After a disappointing 3-2 loss to the last place Buffalo Sabres on Saturday night, the Dallas Stars had a huge decision to make. They could get down on themselves and roll over in a game against the New York Rangers the next night, or they could hop back on the horse and prove that Saturday night was just a fluke. The Stars chose the latter and likely saved any hope they have of still making the playoffs. Ales Hemsky scored the overtime winner in New York on Sunday night and temporarily erased the memory of Saturday evening’s collapse against the Sabres. The Stars currently sit in 11th place in the Western Conference, 5 points back of 8th place Vancouver.
The Boston Bruins are coming off a historical loss on Sunday evening. Their 3-1 loss to divisional rival Montreal broke a 70-year record of gaining at least 1 point in the season series against the Canadiens. The Bruins have begun to turn things on a bit as of lately having won 6 of their last 10 and creating a six point cushion for 8th place in the Eastern conference.
Storylines
Old Friends Meet Again
Every time the Dallas Stars visit the Boston Bruins Tyler Seguin will be front and centre for the evening. Seguin was labelled an immature, party-boy after being drafted and winning a Stanley Cup with the Bruins. He was subsequently shipped out of town the following summer to Dallas in exchange for Loui Eriksson, Riley Smith, and a handful of prospects. Seguin has been nothing short of masterful in his season and a half with the Stars registering 66 goals and 77 assists for 143 points. But as always, Seguin was asked the tough questions in his return to Beantown. When asked what it was like to return to Boston, Seguin replied “Kinda like seeing an ex-girlfriend. You want to see her, but then you don’t”. He was also asked if he felt the same way about returning to Boston this time as he did the first time, “No it’s different this time”. Unfortunately, the radio talk was taken down shortly after it was posted.
Tuuka-Time?
The Boston Bruins have recalled goaltender Niklas Svedberg from Providence (AHL) before their game against the Stars. The Bruins do not play again until Friday evening in Vancouver so it would be surprising to see Svedberg get the start over Tuuka Rask tonight. However, Rask looked deflated in a 3-1 loss to Montreal on Sunday and head coach Claude Julien may be looking to get him some rest tonight.
Injury Notes
The Dallas Stars will be without Valeri Nichuskin (Hip), Patrik Nemeth (Arm), and Rich Peverley (Heart) tonight. Travis Moen (Undisclosed) has been out the past few games but may be ready tonight.
The Bruins are fully healthy.
Projected Lineups
Dallas Stars
Jamie Benn- Tyler Seguin- Brett Ritchie
Erik Cole- Jason Spezza- Ales Hemsky
Ryan Garbutt- Cody Eakin- Antoine Roussel
Shawn Horcoff- Vernon Fiddler- Patrick Eaves
Alex Goligoski- John Kilngberg
Jyrki Jokipakka- Trevor Daley
Jordie Benn- Jason Demers
Kari Lehtonen
Anders Lindback
Boston Bruins
Milan Lucic- David Krejci- David Pastrnak
Brad Marchand- Patrice Bergeron- Reilly Smith
Chris Kelly- Carl Soderberg- Loui Eriksson
Daniel Paille- Gregory Campbell- Craig Cunnigham
Zdeno Chara- Dougie Hamilton
Dennis Seidenberg- Adam McQuaid
Torey Krug- Kevan Miller
Tuuka Rask
Niklas Svedberg
Prediction
The Stars have been great in games where a teammate returns to their old stomping grounds in the past couple seasons. They picked up wins last season when Seguin and Peverley returned to Boston, when Nill returned to Detroit, and when Horcoff returned to Edmonton. This season has been much of the same where they have picked up victories when Jason Spezza returned to Ottawa and Ales Hemsky returned to Edmonton. I see the trend continuing and Kari Lehtonen staying hot. Stars win 3-1 tonight in the same fashion the Bruins beat the Stars back in January. Special teams and goaltending will be the recipe for success!