Dallas Stars Better Prepared For Blue Jackets In Second Matchup
The Columbus Blue Jackets will visit Big D tonight as the Dallas Stars continue their homestand. And though their lineup is still missing some key pieces, it should be well-equipped to take on a Blue Jackets team struggling to maintain consistency.
The Dallas Stars are 1-0-1 at the halfway point of their four-game homestand. Considering the circumstances, that’s a rather impressive mark.
Dallas began this homestand on a bittersweet note last Thursday night. They knocked off the San Jose Sharks in a 4-3 final, but lost star defenseman John Klingberg to a hand injury. Klingberg had surgery on the hand and is expected to miss the next four weeks of play.
The loss of Klingberg contributed to the stockpile of injuries plaguing the Stars at the moment. As they entered Saturday’s game against the best team in the Western Conference, the Stars found themselves without a significant chunk of their starting roster.
Klingberg, Marc Methot, Roman Polak, Connor Carrick, and Stephen Johns were all sidelined with various impairments. And that’s just the defense. On offense, Alexander Radulov and Brett Ritchie once again joined Martin Hanzal on the injured forwards list.
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All in all, the Dallas Stars were missing over a third of their usual starting lineup due to injury and had to adjust quickly.
On Saturday afternoon, the Stars stole an important point away from the Nashville Predators. And, barring a 6-on-4 Nashville goal against with 42.5 seconds remaining in the third or an empty Dallas power play to start overtime, it could very well have been two points.
That was while using players like Ben Gleason, Joel Hanley, and Denis Gurianov in extended capacities. These players found a way to step up, put on impressive showings, and help the Stars grind out an impressive point that kept the team in the playoff picture.
And now, the Stars will move on to the final two chapters of their mid-November homestand. It starts tonight with the Columbus Blue Jackets as the two teams will close out their regular season series against each other.
It hasn’t been long since the Blue Jackets and Stars went head-to-head (six days, to be exact). Less than one week ago, Dallas was in Columbus to wrap up a season-long road trip with a matchup against the Blue Jackets. And it ended in a very one-sided fashion.
The Blue Jackets took a 4-1 victory out of the game and dominated just about every aspect as the Stars scrambled for answers. Columbus was more physical, more precise, and won their battles. Sergei Bobrovsky put on a masterful showing and the Blue Jackets had run away with the game by the end of the second period.
On Monday night, they will look to do the same. Considering the Stars have struggled with starting strong and setting the tempo in the past few games, there is definitely a chance that Columbus can make it happen.
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But for the Stars, it will be about fixing the errors they showed in the first matchup with Columbus and finding a way to once again step on adversity.
Luckily for them, they will be able to do it with some reinforcements.
On Monday night, both Radulov and Polak will be back in the lineup. Radulov is a big get for a Dallas offense needing that superstar scorer that can take over games. He’s a top line asset that provides a mass of energy, speed, and playmaking ability. Polak, on the other hand, gives the blue line a veteran experience and brings a dose of physicality to the lineup.
In addition, Brett Ritchie might also be ready to go. If he gets into the lineup, that’s another plus for Dallas, especially in the physicality game. Columbus outhit the Stars 22-18 in the first matchup and owned the forecheck and back check game. But with Ritchie and Polak in the lineup, the Stars can swing back in the physicality department.
Anton Khudobin was also named the starter for Monday night’s contest. He’s 2-0-1 in his last three starts with an almost absurd .942 save percentage and six goals against. With a high-flying Columbus offense that likes to spread the puck around, his small size and ability to shift around the crease should play to the Stars’ advantage.
All in all, the Dallas Stars are still in the shadow of adversity. They might have players returning, but the lineup is still battered to a decent extent. And with that being said, it will be up to this team to once again stand up and answer the bell. The Blue Jackets are still struggling with breaking out and finding consistency, and that’s where the Stars have to capitalize.
They are better prepared this time around, know what to expect, and should have the tools to keep themselves in the fight. It’s also a home game at the AAC, where the Stars have been great this year, boasting a 6-2-1 record.
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They did it on Saturday while up against a supreme force. Can they continue the homestand hot note tonight?