Dallas Stars vs. Colorado Avalanche: Official Preview
Nov 28, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Stars defenseman Trevor Daley (6) and defenseman Jason Demers (4) and center Jason Spezza (90) and center Colton Sceviour (22) and right wing Erik Cole (72) celebrate Coles goal against the Minnesota Wild during the second period at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
The Dallas Stars (9-10-5) will head to Denver, Colorado to take on the Avalanche (8-10-5) on the back end of a back-to-back set tonight. The Stars dropped a 5-4 overtime decision at home against the Minnesota Wild last night. The Avalanche have not played since Wednesday when they were dropped by the Chicago Blackhawks 3-2 at home. This will be the first of six meetings between the teams this season. Puck drop is scheduled for 8pm CST at the Pepsi Centre in Denver, Colorado. The game can be seen on TXA 21 in the Dallas-Fort Worth region.
Records and Scores
The Stars had a 3-game home winning streak snapped last night when they were unable to hang on to a third period lead against the Minnesota Wild. The Stars were grossly outplayed throughout the first 30 minutes of the game and found themselves in a 3-0 hole. However, 3 goals in 3:42 to end the second period saw the Stars pull even before the final period. In that final period, defenceman Alex Goligoski put the home team ahead after slipping a puck past Wild goaltender Darcy Keumper. The Wild responded with less than two minutes remaining in regulation to push the game to overtime. In the extra frame, Wild defenceman Marco Scandella finished off a tic-tac-toe passing play to sink the Stars.
The Avalanche have started to find their groove as of lately. They come into tonight’s tilt against the Stars having won four of their past six. Their last outing was a defeat at the hands of the Chicago Blackhawks by a score of 3-2. The Avalanche enter tonight’s game only two points behind the Stars in the central division standings.
Storylines
Stars Need To Find Traction Within Their Division
The Dallas Stars blew an excellent opportunity to pick up their first win of the season within the central division last night against the Wild. Consequently, their overtime loss dropped them to an abysmal 0-5-2 against central division foes. The Stars will take another crack at breaking the ice with a win in the division tonight against the Avalanche.
Avalanche Struggling To Find Consistency Between The Pipes
Last season the Colorado Avalanche were as consistent a team as you could find between the pipes. Semyon Varlamov was standing on his head more often than not, and veteran backup J.S. Giguere was just as good when called upon. However, this season has not been like last. The Avalanche have witnessed constant injuries plague their superstar netminder, as well as inconsistent play from newcomers Reto Berra and Calvin Pickard. Calvin Pickard has started to take over the number one spot in net for the Avalanche as Varlamov continues to nurse a multitude of injuries. Considering the Avalanche are a lot like the Stars, in their high speed attack first offensive style, they rely heavily upon their goaltending to keep them in games. They have not been getting the same world-class goaltending they had last year, and have consequently started the season off very slow.
Injury Report
The Stars will be without Rich Peverley (Cardiac Issues), Patrik Nemeth (Arm), Ryan Garbutt (Suspension), and Valeri Nichushkin (Hip) tonight. Colton Sceviour is listed as questionable (Illness).
The Avalanche will have John Mitchell and Erik Johnson back in the lineup tonight after they both missed Wednesday’s contest against the Blackhawks. Semyon Varlamov (Groin), Jamie McGinn (Back), and Brad Stuart (Hamstring) are listed as day-to-day. Dennis Everberg (Shoulder), Ryan Wilson (Shoulder), Jesse Winchester (Concussion), and Patrick Bordeleau (Back) are out tonight.
Projected Lines
Dallas Stars
Benn- Seguin- Eaves
Cole- Spezza- Hemsky
Roussel- Eakin- Sceviour
Moen- Fiddler- Horcoff
Daley- Demers
Goligoski- Klingberg
Oleksia- Jokipakka
Kari Lehtonen
Anders Lindback
Colorado Avalanche
Landeskog- Mackinnon- Iginla
O’Reilly- Duchene- Briere
Street- Mitchell- Vincour
Talbot- Cliché- McLeod
Hejda- Johnson
Geunin- Barrie
Holden- Redmond
Calvin Pickard
Reto Berra
Predictions
The Stars are trending in the right direction having gained points in their last four games. The Avalanche are also starting to find their stride having won four of their last six. The Stars are on the second half of a back-to-back and I think their legs will be a little tired after last night’s overtime battle with Minnesota. I think the Avalanche win 4-3 in overtime tonight. From a Stars perspective, gaining atleast one point on the back end of a back-to-back has to be considered as another positive step forward.