The Dallas Stars are in Smashville tonight to take on the Nashville Predators, and there’s bound to be some fireworks. Here are some keys to watch for in tonight’s game.
It’s game four for the Dallas Stars tonight, and this time they are in Nashville, TN.
The Stars will face off against the Predators tonight in a Central Division showdown. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. from Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.
This game is important for a few different reasons. For one, it’s a Central Division matchup. The two teams have developed a budding rivalry that continues to grow with each passing year. They are also both currently 1-2-0 and in need of a dominant performance tonight to get back to .500 and get a step ahead in divisional play.
In addition to that, these two teams entered the season as the primary favorites to be competing for the 2018 Central Division title. Though neither team’s record might show it right now, the two clubs still have a solid chance at turning in an impressive season.
Dallas Stars
For the Dallas Stars, one of their most crushing losses of last season came in February against the Predators. The loss all but silenced the Stars’ playoff hopes and put Dallas in a deep hole for the rest of the season. So tonight’s game is their first chance at redemption.
It’s shaping up to be one of the most entertaining games of the season and you won’t want to miss out.
Here are some keys to the game to keep an eye out for as Dallas shoots for their second win of the season.
Can Mattias Janmark stay hot?
One of the biggest surprises so far this season that isn’t necessarily a surprise is the play of Mattias Janmark. After missing the entire 2016-17 season with a knee injury, there was a chance that Janmark would never play hockey again.
But he stormed back after extensive rehab and earned his spot back in the starting lineup. Through the first three games, Janmark already has two goals and an assist. He’s doing this in an average of 16:36 on the ice each game, so he’s making the most of each shift.
If Janmark can stay on this newly developed hot streak, he can provide an extra boost to the Dallas offense. Nashville’s defense won’t be easy to get around, so the Stars’ offense will need all the firepower they can get.
SenShot
Ben Bishop going for another solid night
It will be a battle of the goaltenders tonight in Smashville as Ben Bishop lines up against Pekka Rinne. Two veteran goaltenders with a knack for reaching elite levels.
Will Bishop be able to keep his hot streak alive?
Bishop currently owns the fifth best save percentage in the NHL with 42 saves on 44 shots faced (.955). Those shots are spread out across two games (two periods against Vegas and a full game against Detroit), but Bishop’s performances were stellar in both.
It’ll be interesting to see if Bishop can keep up his dominant performance streak. So far, there has yet to be any glaring negatives sticking out in his play. He has remained poised and focused in net, and his play has given Dallas an influential boost.
Can Dallas jump ahead and stay ahead?
The Dallas Stars have a knack for starting their games strong this season. Their ability to jump out of the gate early has given them a leg up, yet their inconsistent ability to finish strong has put them in a bit of a bind.
The Preds won their first game of the season on Tuesday night, beating the Flyers 6-5. They jumped out of the gate quickly, scoring the first three goals of the game. But Philadelphia rattled off five straight to take the 5-3 lead. Nashville bounced back to claim the win, but it was definitely a rocky and confusing effort.
If the Stars can claim the lead early and keep control of the game, they should be able to come away with the win.
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All in all, tonight’s game is going to be a fun one. It’s two Central Division rivals going at it and trying to prove their dominance early in the year. Could it get much better? We’ll have to wait and see.
Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. so don’t miss out.