Dallas Stars Look To Foul Ducks’ Winning Streak In Anaheim
The Dallas Stars return after an agonizing five-day hiatus to take on the Anaheim Ducks and restart their winning ways on a three-game road trip.
Coming off a five-day break having shown some signs of slipping before that, the Dallas Stars will look to get their mojo back and fall into another winning streak in Anaheim at the expense of the Ducks.
Don’t miss puck drop at 9 PM CT at Honda Center. The game will be broadcasted on Fox Sports Southwest Plus (FSSW+), and1310 AM/96.7 FM The Ticket.
Records and Scores
While the Dallas Stars have been sleeping in, the rest of the league has been keeping busy. Although still at the top of the Central Division, the Stars have moved over to temporarily make room to share that position with the Blackhawks, who currently tie the Stars’ 62 points.
And after losing three straight on the road to make their record 29-11-4, the Stars have relinquished first place in the league to the Washington Capitals, who lead with 69 points.
The Anaheim Ducks, with an 18-17-7 record, will want to extend their winning streak tonight by extending the Stars’ losing one. With 43 points, the Ducks sit three from the bottom of the Pacific Division with the likes of the Flames and the Oilers.
Though the Ducks have only scored 80 goals this season, they have given up only 98 as well, making many of their wins tight, one-goal games.
Storylines
New Year, New You
The Dallas Stars have had plenty of time to rest and reflect on all the things holding them back from being the best version of themselves. Currently, those things include defending and turnovers, and letting losses get in their heads.
With their last nine-game stretch coming in the span of only fifteen days, they’re not really to be blamed. But after some R & R, the Stars are eager to get back to their roots prove that they’re still a superior road team. Playing on the road has always been something the Stars excelled at, but lately they seem to have lost that superpower.
The Dallas Stars’ last road trip is a bit of a sore subject. They failed to win even one of three games in the New York City area, falling into their first losing streak this season. What’s worse, they endured a defensive meltdown, giving up twelve goals in the last two games of that trip.
With Lindy Ruff at the helm addressing these issues in practice over the last few days, we can remain pretty hopeful that the Stars will be back to their old- or, new- selves shortly.
Match Made In Heaven
With the Dallas Stars’ defense currently trying to get back on its feet, it may not have that rude of an awakening. The Anaheim Ducks have the hardest time scoring of any team in the league currently, with a 1.90 goal per game average.
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However, the Ducks have compensated with good defending and penalty killing, with a 2.33 goals against average. In other words, the Stars may not have a terribly hard time getting back into the swing of things, but they will have to be on and stay on offensively if they want to come out on top.
Injury Report
Dallas Stars
With Jordie Benn and Ales Hemsky both returned from injury, the Stars will be at full strength in Anaheim.
Anaheim Ducks
Simon Despres (concussion symptoms) and Cam Fowler (knee) will both be out against the Stars tonight.
Projected Lines
Dallas Stars
Jamie Benn – Tyler Seguin – Patrick Sharp
Mattias Janmark – Jason Spezza – Ales Hemsky
Antoine Roussel – Cody Eakin – Valeri Nichushkin
Travis Moen – Vernon Fiddler – Patrick Eaves/Colton Sceviour
Alex Goligoski – John Klingberg
Patrik Nemeth – Jamie Oleksiak
Anaheim Ducks
Rickard Rakell –Ryan Getzlaf –Corey Perry
Carl Hagelin –Ryan Kesler –Jakob Silfverberg
Andrew Cogliano –Shawn Horcoff –Jiri Sekac
Patrick Maroon –Nate Thompson –Chris Stewart
Shea Theodore –Korbinian Holzer
Next: Dallas Stars Should Have No Trouble In Trip To The Beach
Predictions
With the Dallas Stars ready and rearing to go, their high-powered offense will overwhelm the Ducks, but their defense might need a little polishing up. The Stars will give up a goal, but come out on top 2-1.