Dallas Stars Looking To Put Out Flames, Win Third Straight
After two straight wins, the Dallas Stars continue their four-game road trip tonight in Calgary, clashing with Johnny Gaudreau and the Calgary Flames
The Dallas Stars have been victorious their past two times on the ice, and have done so in thrilling fashion.
On Friday night, the Vancouver Canucks visited the American Airlines Center, but Dallas, in their first shootout of the season, overcame the visitors, winning 3-2.
Within 24 hours, the Stars flew to St. Paul and clashed with Central division opponent, the Minnesota Wild. Dallas overcame a three-goal third period deficit, sent the game to overtime, and a Tyler Seguin game winner completed the improbable comeback.
The victory green are back on the ice tonight in their second stop of the four-game road trip, clashing with the Calgary Flames at 8:00. The game will be broadcasted on Fox Sports Southwest Plus (FSSW+) and can be listened to on 1310 AM/96.7 FM The Ticket.
Records and Scores
The Dallas Stars, off to their best start in franchise history, are 19-5-0.
Their 38 points have them atop the Central Division, and Dallas is just one point behind the Montreal Canadians for the most in all of hockey.
On the other side of the ice, the Calgary Flames are not off to the start they originally had in mind.
Calgary is 8-14-2 (18 points) in 24 games thus far.
Saturday, like the Stars, is the last time the Flames hit the ice, falling to the San Jose Sharks, 5-2. They have lost their last three games.
Storylines
Road Trippin’
After falling to the Colorado Avalanche 6-3 in their first road game of the season, the Dallas Stars have bounced back to win 10 of their last 11 times on enemy ice.
Their 10-2-0 away record (.833%) leads the entire NHL, and they have won their last six match-ups away from home.
Hot November
The Dallas Stars counteracted the chilly nights of November with red-hot performances on the ice. The Stars went 10-3-0 in the month, continuing their dominance they have had since opening night.
While winning 10 out of every 13 is hard to consistently do, the Stars look to duplicate their success from November into the final month of the calendar year.
Two Teams, Same Goalie System
While the Stars switch between Kari Lehtonen and Antti Niemi in net, the Calgary Flames do the same thing between the posts.
Now, Karri Ramo has started 15 of the 24 games so far, and he is in goal tonight, but Jonas Hiller has been out with a hip injury, and has just recently returned.
Like Dallas, the Flames exercise the two-goalie format, and it worked exceptionally well for them last season.
Last year, the Flames made the Western Conference Semi-Finals, and a large chunk of that was due to the wonderful play in net from both Ramo and Hiller.
Injury Report
For the Dallas Stars, goalie Kari Lehtonen is on injured reserve, after he exited last Tuesday’s game vs the Ottawa Senators with an upper body injury. Jack Campbell has been called up to fulfill the back-up role to Antti Niemi.
The Calgary Flames have just one injury as well, as forward Lance Bouma is enduring a fibula injury. He will not play in tonight’s game.
Projected Lines
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
Antti Niemi
Jack Campbell
More from Blackout Dallas
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- Dallas Stars prospects look to wrap up tournament with a win
- Burn the tapes: Dallas Stars prospects lose 5-1 to Toronto Maple Leafs
- Dallas Stars look to continue success today against the Maple Leafs
Calgary Flames
Johnny Gaudreau – Sean Monahan – Jiri Hudler
Sam Bennett – Mikael Backlund – Michael Frolik
Joe Colborne – Matt Stajan – David Jones
Micheal Ferland – Markus Granlund – Josh Jooris
Kris Russell – Dougie Hamilton
Dennis Wideman – Deryk Engelland
Karri Ramo
Jonas Hiller
Prediction
The Stars have actually had more success against the stronger teams this season, and have struggled more against the teams they have been favored to beat.
The Flames have lost three straight, however, and the Stars have won their last two in exhilarating fashion.
On top of that, the Stars are 5-1-1 in their last seven games against the Flames.
Next: Dallas Stars Goalie System Is Working Magically
I like Dallas winning tonight’s game 4-2, and heading into Thursday’s game against Vancouver on a three-game win streak.