Dallas Stars vs New Jersey Devils Preview
The Dallas Stars have yet again switched up their line-up after another loss at home earlier this week. Dallas will look for their 11th win of the season as they take on the New Jersey Devils tonight. Puck drop is at 7:30PM CT and the game can be viewed on Fox Sports Southwest or heard via 1310 the Ticket.
Records and Scores
Dallas (10-13-5) lost against the division rival Winnipeg Jets this past Tuesday by a score of 5-2. The game was, in Head Coach Lindy Ruff’s opinion, the worst defensive game of the season yet. Despite the defensive woes, Tyler Seguin managed to increase his hold on the league lead in goals by tallying his 22nd of the season. Meanwhile, the remainder of Dallas’ elite forwards continued their offensive struggles and goalie Kari Lehtonen was unable to make the necessary saves to keep Dallas in the game. The Stars will look for a better performance down the line-up tonight in hopes of reviving their season.
The New Jersey Devils (11-14-5) lost their most recent match-up against the Philadelphia Flyers by a score of 4-1. Former Dallas Star Jaromir Jagr has, however, boasted an impressive season taking over fifth place in NHL Points Leaders All Time with 1,772. Even though New Jersey has one of the best performing players of all time they still can’t manage consistency in their play. The Devils will aim to get back on track tonight against the Stars.
Story Lines
Ryan Garbutt’s Suspension
Dallas Stars forward Ryan Garbutt was handed a three game suspension for his slew footing of Winnipeg Jets’ Dustin Byfuglien during the third period of Tuesday night’s game. This is his second run in with the NHL Department of Player Safety this season as he was suspended for two games a few weeks ago for kneeing Edmonton Oilers’ Taylor Hall. The last thing this rather dysfunctional Dallas Stars team needs is a player being suspended for entirely avoidable actions, especially when considering the chemistry Garbutt shares with line mates Cody Eakin and Antoine Roussel. Garbutt will be eligible to play in the game on December 21st versus the Edmonton Oilers.
Dallas’ One Trick Pony
The single consistent component of the Dallas Stars this season has been the offensive output of Tyler Seguin. He currently has scored 22 goals in 28 games for the Stars, making him responsible for 27.5% of the entire teams goals. In fact, Dallas is currently 11th in the league in goals for with 80, but 26th in the league in wins with only 10. Even with Seguin’s league-leading pace the Stars are still in desperate need of increased offense from their many elite players. Behind Seguin the next leading Stars player in goals is Captain Jamie Benn; however, he only has eight. The highest paid Dallas Star, Jason Spezza, has scored merely five goals in his 28 games as a Star, while he has a -10 rating. It is impossible to win in this league with only one player reaching full potential and the Stars will try to jumpstart offense in the rest of the forwards in the games they have remaining.
Unlucky Devils
Despite improved play this season the Devils have faired only slightly better in shootouts when compared to their performance last season. For whatever reason they have been unable to produce offense even with the likes of Jagr and Mike Cammalleri in their line-up. New Jersey posses the 25th spot in the league in goals for having only scored 68 in 30 games this season.
Injury Report
For Dallas Rich Peverley (heart) and Patrik Nemeth (arm laceration) are both expected to be out long term. Forward Val Nichushkin (hip) is supposed to be back in either February or March, and Patrick Eaves (broken foot) should make his return to the line-up in 4-6 weeks. The most recent injury to forward Travis Moen (upper body) is expected to keep him out of the game tonight.
New Jersey’s Travis Zajac (lower-body), Patrik Elias (groin), Bryce Salvador (lower-body) and Ryan Clowe (head) are not expected to be in the game tonight.
Projected Lines
Dallas Stars
Jamie Benn-Jason Spezza-Tyler Seguin
Antoine Roussel-Cody Eakin-Ales Hemsky
Curtis McKenzie-Travis Morin-Erik Cole
Shawn Horcoff-Vernon Fiddler-Colton Sceviour
Alex Goligoski-John Klingberg
Jyrki Jokipakka-Trevor Daley
Jordie Benn- Jason Demers
Kari Lehtonen (expected starter)
Jussi Rynnas
New Jersey Devils
Martin Havlat – Scott Gomez – Jaromir Jagr
Mike Cammalleri – Adam Henrique – Michael Ryder
Tuomo Ruutu – Jacob Josefson – Mike Sislo
Jordin Tootoo – Stephen Gionta – Stever Bernier
Andy Greene – Damon Severson
Jon Merrill – Marek Zidlicky
Seth Helgeson – Peter Harrold
Cory Schneider (confirmed starter)
Keither Kinkaid
Prediction
The Dallas Stars will be rejuvenated after a few days off and they’ll play one of their better defensive games of the season. Kari Lehtonen will look like himself and lead the Stars to a victory over the New Jersey Devils by a score of 4-1.