Dallas Stars Hit Road For Matchup With Improving Sabres
By Josh Clark
The Dallas Stars are threatening to take the title of “best team in the NHL” with their recent play. After taking down the Minnesota Wild 3-2 in dramatic overtime fashion, the Stars improved their record to 14-4-0 and slid into a three-way tie for first place throughout the NHL. They will look to turn their two-game winning streak into three when they take on the Buffalo Sabres Tuesday night.
The game will be broadcasted on Fox Sports Southwest (FSSW) and you can also hear it 1310AM/96.7FM The Ticket. Puck drop is scheduled from 6:00 p.m. from the First Niagara Center in Buffalo, New York.
Records and Scores
The Dallas Stars are gliding through their 2015-2016 season up to this point. Only four blemishes separate them from a perfect record through 18 games, leaving them with a record of 14-4-0 and 28 points. They sit significantly above the rest of the Western Conference in first place and are third throughout the NHL. Their most recent game comes as a 3-2 overtime win over the Minnesota Wild. They are 4-1-0 in their last five games.
The Buffalo Sabres are keeping up with the pace in the Eastern Conference for the first time in years. The Sabres currently boast a record of 8-8-1 with 17 points. This is good enough for 11th place in the Eastern Conference and they only sit three points out of a playoff spot. Their most recent game comes as a 2-1 overtime loss to the San Jose Sharks. They are 3-1-1 in their last five games.
Storylines
Stars picking up players off IR just in time
The Dallas Stars spent the past two days putting together a new lineup on offense. While moving Radek Faksa and Curtis McKenzie back to the Texas Stars lineup, the Stars made room for Patrick Eaves and Travis Moen. Both players made their way back from long-term injuries and are eligible to play Tuesday night.
The Stars offense was already scoring at a high pace with their roster, but the addition of two veterans will only help their chances. The Stars also have options now in regards to who they start and who sits. Overall, the Stars offense is the second best in the league and will continue rising up at the current rate. Either Eaves or Moen will be back in tonight to help keep the pace flowing.
Sabres on track for short-term success in rebuild
The Buffalo Sabres have spent the last two seasons at the very bottom of the NHL pile. From poor coaching decisions to slow offseason movement and no chemistry on the ice, it has been a struggle for the club and their fans to endure. But it looks like they may have turned a corner and are finally looking at a potentially bright future.
After drafting superstar forward Jack Eichel and signing a new coach on board along with some top-tier moves in the 2015 offseason, the Sabres are holding their own in the Eastern Conference battle right now and are in the thick of it. We’ll see if their success can translate into tonight’s game against the Dallas Stars. The Sabres were close to sweeping the Stars last season until the Stars made a late comeback against them in the final scheduled meeting of the season.
Injury report
The Dallas Stars will have a clean sheet for the first time in a while and play with a completely healthy roster.
The Buffalo Sabres will be minus the services of D Mike Weber (knee), F Evander Kane (knee), F Cody McCormick (blood clot). F Zemgus Girgensons is questionable. D Zach Bogosian (lower body) is day-to-day.
Projected lineups
Dallas Stars
Jamie Benn – Tyler Seguin – Patrick Sharp
Mattias Janmark – Jason Spezza – Patrick Eaves
Antoine Roussel – Cody Eakin – Valeri Nichushkin
Colton Sceviour – Vernon Fiddler – Ales Hemsky
Alex Goligoski – John Klingberg
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- Dallas Stars look to continue success today against the Maple Leafs
Buffalo Sabres
Matt Moulson – Ryan O’Reilly – Brian Gionta
Johan Larsson – Jack Eichel – Tyler Ennis
Nicolas Deslauriers – Zemgus Girgensons – Jamie McGinn
Marcus Foligno – David Legwand – Sam Reinhart
Josh Gorges – Rasmus Ristolainen
Jake McCabe – Zach Bogosian
Carlo Colaiacovo – Cody Franson
Next: Which Stars Goalie Has Played Better This Season?
Prediction
The Stars will struggle early with the new and improved Sabres, but with the help of the veterans back in the lineup the Stars will walk away with a 4-2 win.