Dallas Stars Host Senators, Look to Extend Winning Streak

The Dallas Stars are looking to extend their winning streak to six games as they host the Ottawa Senators tonight at the American Airlines Center. The game starts at 7PM CT and can be seen on NHL Network or listened to via the Ticket.

Records and Scores

Dallas Stars

The Dallas Stars are an incredible (17-4-0) through twenty-one regular season games with their latest victory coming Saturday against the Buffalo Sabres. Goaltender Antti Niemi posted 22 saves to shutout the Sabres as Dallas won 3-0 with a goal from Antoine Roussel and two from Jamie Benn. Tonight they’ll look for similar efforts throughout the line-up against the Senators.

Ottawa Senators

Ottawa has gone (10-5-5) through twenty games with their most recent decision being a 4-0 win over the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday. The Senators will aim to stop the Stars’ winning streak at home tonight.

Story Lines

Power Play Needs a Reboot

Dallas has the personnel for a fantastic power play, but they don’t always execute as they should. Saturday night, for example, the Stars had trouble through the first two periods of the game even getting into the zone as Buffalo consistently cleared it 200 feet in the opposite direction. The Stars were rather casual in their passing and thus had issues gaining entry into the offensive zone.

Once they recollected and established their position, though, Dallas got some opportunities. While every night won’t be the perfect display of how to utilize the man advantage, the Stars will have to keep their heads on a swivel and their feet moving if they want to take advantage of power play opportunities.

Adversity Strikes Stars Blue Line

In Saturday’s game defenseman Jason Demers left during the second period due to a lower-body injury. After the game head coach Lindy Ruff claimed that he would be out for a while; however, it was reported on Monday that his status had changed and his condition wasn’t as severe as originally thought.

It makes it easier on the Stars if no. 4 finds his way into the game tonight; however, Dallas has also proven to play well with a variety of defenseman in the line-up. Jordie Benn missed last game due to illness, but practiced with the team Monday morning so he may or may not play.

Jamie Oleksiak filled in for Benn last game in which he had a big fight that amped up the physicality of the game, so he would be a solid option in the event that Demers sits.