Stars Look To Build Momentum Against Lowly Hurricanes
Nov 11, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Dallas Stars right wing Erik Cole (center) celebrates with teammates on the bench after scoring a goal in the third period against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena. The Stars defeated the Coyotes 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The Dallas Stars (6-8-4) return home tonight for a rare matchup with the Eastern Conference’s Carolina Hurricanes (5-9-3). Both teams are coming off a loss on Sunday evening and are looking to halt their current losing streaks. The game will be broadcasted on Fox Sports – Southwest (FSSW), and you can also hear it on 1310 AM/96.7FM The Ticket. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30PM CST at the American Airlines Centre in downtown Dallas.
Records and Scores
The Dallas Stars (6-8-4, 16 points) snapped a seven game winless streak with a 4-3 victory over the Arizona Coyotes last Tuesday. They then travelled to Los Angeles and stun the defending Stanley Cup champions 2-0 on Thursday night. The Stars rounded out the week with a tough back to back against Minnesota and Chicago. On Saturday afternoon the Stars dropped a tight checking game against the Wild 2-1. Sunday evening they visited Chicago for a divisional matchup. The Stars kept the game close through the first two periods but ultimately fell in the third by a score of 6-2.
The Carolina Hurricanes (5-9-3, 13 points) roll into Dallas tonight having lost four of their past five games. On their current slide they have lost to Washington, Winnipeg, Boston, and San Jose. Their lone victory came against the Calgary Flames over a week ago. The Hurricanes sit dead last in the Metropolitan division and only 3 points ahead of the Buffalo Sabres for last place in the entire NHL.
Storylines
Critical Game For Stars Early On
The Dallas Stars will enjoy some home cooking and start a 5-game homestand tonight against the Hurricanes. The Stars currently have the worst home ice record in the NHL at 1-4-4. Tonight will be a critical game for the Stars if they look to build some momentum on home ice. The Hurricanes have struggled all season long and come to Dallas with the second worst record in the league. The Stars have tough home games coming up against Arizona, Minnesota and Los Angeles, so it is imperative that they put together a solid 60 minute effort and come away with two points tonight.
Stars Looking For Best Players To Be Their Best
Part of the reason why the Dallas Stars have struggled so mightily on home ice this season, is due to the lack of production from their big guns. Jamie Benn has scored only two goals on home ice this season and none in the past 11 games overall. Jason Spezza has struggled by finding the back of the net only once at home. Free agent signing Ales Hemsky has contributed only two points at home this season and is yet to find the back of the net. If the Dallas Stars are to turn things around on home ice, look for Benn, Spezza, and Hemsky to be the catalysts.
Trade Rumours Continue To Swirl In Carolina
Coming into the 2014 season the Carolina Hurricanes believed that they could surprise some teams around the NHL. The Hurricanes haven’t made the playoffs in 5 straight seasons and this year was supposed to be different. The organization was counting on a bounce back season from veteran netminder Cam Ward, a dynamic trio of scorers in Eric Staal, Jeff Skinner, and Alex Semin, as well as the emergence of Jordan Staal as one of the best two way players in the league. However, the Hurricanes train fell off the track very quickly. Jordan Staal broke his leg in the preseason and has yet to play a game this season. Jeff Skinner sustained a concussion very early in the season and has not looked like the same player he was in his rookie season. Alex Semin has seen the press box multiple times already this season as a healthy scratch, and Cam Ward and Eric Staal continue to struggle without much help. Due to the Hurricanes early season struggles, the organization has started listening to offers on just about every player in the depth chart not named Skinner. If the Hurricanes continue to slide down the standings, look for them to be very active come trade deadline day in early March.
Injury Report
The Dallas Stars will be without Valeri Nichushkin (Hip Surgery), Rich Peverley (Cardiac Issue), Patrik Nemeth (Arm Laceration), and Patrick Eaves (Foot) for tonight’s game.
The Carolina Hurricanes will be without Jordan Staal (Broken Leg) and Joni Pitkanen (Broken Heel) tonight. Defenceman Jay Harrison is day-to-day with a lower body injury and forward Alex Semin is also day-to-day (Upper Body)
Projected Lines
Dallas Stars
Ja. Benn- Seguin- Hemsky
McKenzie- Spezza- Cole
Roussel- Eakin- Garbutt
Horcoff- Fiddler- Moen
Sceviour
Goligoski- Klingberg
Jo. Benn- Daley
Dillon- Oleksiak
Connauton
Lehtonen
Lindback
Carolina Hurricanes
Tlusty- Staal- Boychuk
Gerbe- Nash- Lindholm
Skinner- Rask- Terry
Dwyer- McClement- Malone
Sekera- Faulk
Liles- Gleason
Bellemore- Hainsey
Ward
Khudobin
Prediction
The Dallas Stars played some good hockey last week. They took down two formidable foes in the Kings and Coyotes but then lost a tough one to the Wild on Saturday. They were then even with Blackhawks on a back to back through the first two periods, but ultimately fell after a bad third period. I think tonight the Dallas Stars find the light at the end of the tunnel. They will start to build some momentum for their 5-game homestand with a 3-1 victory over the lowly Hurricanes. Jamie Benn and Ales Hemsky are going to score eventually this season, so why not tonight?