Dallas Stars Host Anaheim Ducks in Season Debut

Hockey season is officially back deep in the heart of Texas. The Dallas Stars get going tonight, so celebrate accordingly.

The Dallas Stars will finally kick off their 2016-17 campaign tonight as they host the Anaheim Ducks at American Airlines Center. Puck drop is set for 7:30pm Central Time.

Scores and Records

The Dallas Stars finished last season atop the Central Division and Western Conference, ending the year with a (50-23-9) record for 109 points. They defeated the Minnesota Wild in their first round series, but fell to the St. Louis Blues in the second, losing in Game 7. They’ll aim to start the new season off on the right foot tonight in front of their home fans.

The Anaheim Ducks had a rather horrendous start to their 2015-16 season, but ended with 103 points, a (46-25-11) record and a Pacific Division Title. That turnaround, however, didn’t do much for the Ducks as they lost in Game 7 of the first round against the Nashville Predators. Anaheim will hope to get this season going in the opposite direction they did last year tonight in Dallas.

Storylines

Injury Prone

Somehow the Dallas Stars sustained more injuries before the season even began than anyone could have imagined. A Stars team with a limited number of centers will be forced with the challenge of finding the right line combinations to result in a victory.

Cody Eakin injured his knee during training camp in late September and will be out for about another month.

Division Title Banner

Last year the Dallas Stars surpassed a lot of expectations and went on to earn the Central Division Title. Tonight that banner will rise above the stands in American Airlines Center and it will be a moment to reflect on the successes of last season.

That, however, shouldn’t be used as any indication of what will transpire this year. The NHL is always getting better players with more skill and ability and the Stars have to follow suit with their play. Meaning, they’ll have to use the banner addition in the AAC as motivation to find even more success this year.

That all starts with a win on home ice. Last season the Stars had one of their best seasons at home, going (28-11-2). From home wins alone Dallas earned over 53 percent of their total points on the season, making it a highlight of their year for sure. Tonight they’ll hope to build on that for 2016-17.

Injury Report

The Dallas Stars will be without C Cody Eakin (knee), RW Ales Hemsky (groin) and C Mattias Janmark (knee) tonight.

The Anaheim Ducks will be minus the services of LW Nicolas Kerdiles (concussion), C Rickard Rakell (abdomen), and C Nate Thompson (achilles). G John Gibson (illness) is considered day-to-day but is expected to play tonight.