Dec 21, 2013; San Jose, CA, USA; Dallas Stars left wing Antoine Roussel (21) scores a back handed goal during the second period against San Jose Sharks goalie Alex Stalock (32) at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports
Smile Stars fans! It’s finally the weekend, and more importantly its gameday. The Dallas Stars (4-5-4) will try and snap out of their losing ways (0-4-2 in past 6) when the San Jose Sharks (7-5-2) pay a visit to the lone star state tonight. This will be the first of three meetings between the teams this year. Last season, San Jose won two of three matchups. However, the Stars managed to grab at least one point in every single one of those games. The game will be broadcasted on Fox Sports – Southwest (FSSW), and can be heard on the radio by tuning to 1310AM/96.7FM The Ticket. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 PM CST at the American Airlines Center.
Records and Scores
The Dallas Stars sit at 4-5-4 on the season which is good for 12 points. The Stars’ 12 points currently has them sitting in last place in the central division. They are winless in their last six games by going a combined-0-4-2. In their most recent game, they were handed a 3-2 loss by the Nashville Predators. Although the Stars controlled the pace of the game and outshot the Predators, Pekka Rinne proved to be the difference in goal for Nashville.
The San Jose Sharks find themselves at 7-5-2 which places them 5th in the pacific division with 16 points. In their most recent contest, the Vancouver Canucks edged them by a score of 3-2. The Sharks outshot the Canucks 36-19 but could not find a way to beat Canucks goaltender Ryan Miller on a consistent basis. The Sharks thought they had the game tied on a buzzer beating empty net goal in the third period; however after review, the goal was disallowed because it did not cross the goal line before the clock expired. The Sharks enter tonight’s tilt with one of the best road records in the league at 5-2-2.
Storylines
Stars Dropping Like Flies
The Dallas Stars were without centre Cody Eakin for Thursday night’s game against Nashville. He was a late scratch in the lineup due to an upper body injury. It looks as if coach Lindy Ruff will be without Eakin again for Saturday’s matchup. When asked about Eakin’s availability, Ruff responded “Eakin probably won’t be available”. Forward Val Nichushkin also missed practice on Friday with the same groin/hip problem that has caused him to miss nine games already this season. Forwards Jason Spezza and Ales Hemsky were not available for practice on Friday either. Ruff said they were given maintenance days to rest some bumps and bruises. With all the injuries starting to pile up look for the Stars to call up a few bodies from the AHL before puck drop on Saturday.
Burns Is Burnin’ It Up
San Jose Sharks defenceman Brent Burns enters tonight’s contest with 4 goals and 9 assists which is good for 13 points on the season. His 13 points position him as the third highest scoring defenceman in the league. His offensive awareness and playmaking ability make him one of the deadliest defenceman on the man advantage as well. He has been a main contributor to the Sharks 3rd-ranked powerplay by adding 5 assists. When Burns isn’t putting the puck in the back of the net or sending cross ice passes to his teammates, teams are still defending him with extreme caution. He often draws very tight coverage on the powerplay to take away his shot, which opens up space for his teammates. Look for Burns to be right in the middle of the offensive threat for the Sharks tonight.
Injury Report
The Dallas Stars will likely be without forwards Cody Eakin (upper body injury) and Val Nichushkin (hip/groin) tonight. Rich Peverley remains on LTIR (cardiac event) and Patrik Nemeth is out for the season (arm laceration).
The Sharks will likely be without forwards Mike Brown (hand) and Raffi Torres (knee) tonight.
Projected Lines
Dallas Stars head coach Lindy Ruff made a comment about how he intends to juggle up his lines for Saturday night’s game against San Jose. He did not specifically state who will be moved where.
Dallas Stars
Ja.Benn- Seguin- Nichushkin*
Cole- Spezza- Hemsky
Roussel- Fiddler- Garbutt
Eaves- Horcoff- Sceviour
Goligoski- Daley
Jo.Benn- Dillon
Oleksiak- Gonchar
Connauton
*Left practice early
San Jose Sharks
Pavelski- Thornton- Nieto
Marleau- Couture- Wingels
Hertl- Sheppard- Kennedy
Desjardins- Burish- Goodrow
Vlasic- Braun
Mueller- Burns
Hannan- Demers
Prediction
If last season was any indication of what may happen tonight, you can get yourself ready for overtime and possibly a shooutout. Every game last season between these two teams was decided past regulation. Tonight’s result will be 3-2 Stars in overtime. The captain, Jamie Benn, will get his team back into the win column for the first time in two weeks.