In the Pacific Division alone, three teams share 22 points, including the Stars, the Kings and the Sharks. In the conference, only two points separate eight teams who’re sitting as high as third place, held by the Canucks, and 10th, held by the Stars.

The Blues astounded hockey fans across the league last season with a playoff run that lead to the Western Conference semifinals, where the team fell 4-0 to the Stanley Cup-winning Kings. This season, however, has produced less-than stellar results for the Blues, who, though sitting in fourth place in the conference and second in the Central Division, hasn’t been able to set fire to the spark that started last season’s fire. The Blues are also coming off a 4-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers, who demolished the Stars on Thursday 5-1.

Chemistry continues to be an area of needed improvement for the Stars, and while the trade of Micheal Ryder and the return of Kari Lehtonen may have had an impact on Thursday’s game, changes on the ice cannot lead to the falling-apart of the few bonds the team has created thus far. Defense also must be an area of significant devotion, with the Stars sitting at a 2.95 goals allowed per game percentage. While the ability of the goalie in net does directly contribute to this number, no goalie can be successful without strong defensemen in front of him.

When analyzing the team’s statistics, initial indications are the game will not only be a close one, but an entertaining one also. The first puck drops at 2:00 p.m. and will be shown on Fox Sports Southwest.

Feb 28, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Stars goalie Kari Lehtonen (32) faces the Edmonton Oilers attack during the third period at the American Airlines Center. The Oilers defeated the Stars 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Jan 26, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; St. Louis Blues center Vladimir Sobotka (17) and defenseman Alex Pietrangelo (27) and defenseman Wade Redden (6) and center Scott Nichol (12) and right wing Ryan Reaves (75) celebrate a goal during the first period against the Dallas Stars at the American Airlines Center. The Blues defeated the Stars 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Without the services of Jamie Benn, Jaromir Jagr and Derek Roy, it was going to be a very tough task for the Dallas Stars facing an unbeaten St Louis team. It showed as the Dallas Stars lost 4-3 against the Blues, extending their losing streak to two games.

Early in the first, Wade Redden fired past a screened Christopher Nilstorp to give the visitors a 1-0 lead. The Stars responded in the perfect way and equalised through an impressive Tomas Vincour goal. It was an entertaining first frame of hockey as both teams exchanged goal-scoring chances. With 12 minutes gone, Michael Ryder gave the Stars a lead on a backhanded shot on the powerplay that went past Halak.

Dallas started the second period on the powerplay, but failed to create any decent chances. Midway through the second, the Blues grabbed a slick equaliser, as David Perron impressively fired past Nilstorp in a solo effort  Late in the second period, Chris Stewart capitalised on some poor defending by the Stars to give the Blues the 3-2 lead. David Perron made it 4-2 when Trevor Daley turned the puck over as he wrist shot his second over Nilstorp’s glove late in the 2nd period.

A great backhand pass from behind the net by Brenden Morrow that hit Ryan Garbutt for his first goal of the season, who in stride in the slot, popped it past Halak in the third period. Nilstorp, who was relieved in the third period as he possibly hurt his hamstring as Kari Lehtonen went into the net for the Stars. Ray Whitney almost tied the game up but it hit the post.

The Stars will look back at this game and wonder what went wrong in this game before heading on to the road for two games against the Columbus Blue Jackets and Detroit Red Wings.

GAME STATS

Goal Scorers
STL: W. Redden (05:31 – 1st) , D. Perron (10:51 – 2nd) , C. Stewart (16:32 – 2nd) , D. Perron (19:44 – 2nd)
DAL: T. Vincour (05:57 – 1st) , M. Ryder (PPG, 12:40 – 1st) , R. Garbutt (02:24 – 3rd)

Goalies
STL: J. HALAK
DAL: C. NILSTORP, K. LEHTONEN

Here’s the final score from the Blues and Stars:

Final	1	2	3	T
	1	3	0	4
	2	0	1	3

Here were the shots on goals between the Stars and Blues:

Teams	1st	2nd	3rd	Total
	10	12	10	32
	5	7	11	23

Three star selections
1st: DAVID PERRON
2nd: CHRIS STEWART
3rd: RYAN GARBUTT