Dallas Stars Need Comeback Game Against Lightning
The Dallas Stars are still trying to put a troublesome season behind them and find a win to send them into the bye week with some hope.
The Dallas Stars will start off their five game homestand tonight against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Puck drop is scheduled for 7 PM CT from the AAC, and the game will be broadcast by FSSW and 1310 AM/96.7 FM The Ticket. The Dallas Stars will also welcome back to the broadcast booth play-by-play man Dave Strader, which will make tonight’s game a special event, regardless of the outcome.
Records and Scores
The Dallas Stars are hanging on by a thread, if even that. With a 22-27-10 record, the Stars are carrying a 3 game losing streak, which was hopefully capped by Thursday night’s ever important 3-1 loss to the Wild. The last wild card spot seems too far to grasp, 7 points away, and the Stars have also fallen to the league’s bottom 3.
The Tampa Bay Lightning currently have a 25-24-7 record and as the Stars are headed into their bye week, the Lightning are coming out of it. Their last game a week ago was a 4-1 road victory against WInnipeg, but doesn’t guarantee that they’ll be in form to extend that streak to two tonight. They will be in a similar position as the Stars, with 6 points keeping them out of a Wild Card spot.
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Storylines
There’s no place like home
Well, let’s hope. The Dallas Stars just concluded a 3 game roadtrip and dropped all 3 games, as well as their previous 3 on the road. While the road hasn’t treated them kindly, they’ve fared a little better at home this season, with a 15-9-6 record.
Although the Lightning haven’t had quite the nuclear road meltdown that the Stars have, their road record is a simple 11-14-5, which coupled with their prior 5 hockey-less days will hopefully give the Stars the upper hand.
Another benefit of coming home for the Stars will be the addition of Dave Strader as he returns to the broacasting duo with Daryl Reaugh. Returning to his love while still battling cancer, Strader will provide play-by-play for the Stars during their upcoming homestand, a treat that will hopefully motivate the Dallas Stars further.
Eavesy does it
There can be no arguing when it comes to Patrick Eaves‘ important to the Stars roster this season. Things have obviously not gone their way, and it would only seem natural that for a player putting forth a career-high effort, the results would be the most disappointing. However, Eaves still demonstrates a stick-to-it spirit and determination to continue doing his best.
And do his best he is. He co-leads the team in goals with Tyler Seguin; although they have 21 apiece, Eaves can also boast a shot percentage of 14. But facing the uncertainty of the rest of the season, Eaves cautioned that the Stars just need to take it one step at a time, which is hopefully what they will aspire to tonight.
Storm’s a-comin’
The truth of the matter is that both teams will be in panic mode tonight. The Lightning are in a tight spot when it comes to a playoff position- nearly as tight as the Stars. In their first game back from bye week, they will do everything they can to get right back into the swing of things. They know as well as the Stars that this is not the time in the season to waste games.
We’ll be in for some entertaining hockey, as I imagine both teams will be exhibiting a bit of desperation. When it comes down to it, who will deserve it more? We’ll just have to wait and see.
Injury Report
The Dallas Stars are without Johnny Oduya (ankle), Ales Hemsky (hip), and Mattias Janmark (knee), all on injured reserve. Stephen Johns is out with the flu.
The Tampa Bay Lighting will play without Stephen Stamkos (knee) and Ryan Callahan (lower body). Tyler Johnson (lower body) is questionable.
Projected Lines
Dallas Stars
Jamie Benn – Cody Eakin – Patrick Eaves
Devin Shore – Jason Spezza – Tyler Seguin
Antoine Roussel – Radek Faksa – Patrick Sharp
Curtis McKenzie – Adam Cracknell – Brett Ritchie
Patrik Nemeth – Jamie Oleksiak
Tampa Bay Lightning
Vladislav Namestnikov – Tyler Johnson – Nikita Kucherov
Brian Boyle– Valtteri Filppula – Ondrej Palat
Alex Killorn – Brayden Point – Jonathan Drouin
Gabriel Dumont – Cedric Paquette – J.T. Brown
Jason Garrison – Anton Stralman
Next: Stader's Return Could Signal Turnaround For Stars
Predictions
I’ll call this a prediction of hope over one of certainty, but the Lightning could need time to bounce back from bye week, and the Stars have multiple reasons to be motivated for a win tonight. I’ll put them taking it 3-2.