Dallas Stars vs. Calgary Flames: Returning Home in Much Worse Shape
The Dallas Stars spent last week on the road, and it went horribly after the team dropped all four games.
Now, the Dallas Stars need to break their losing streak, and they’re at home for the next two games.
Being at home is much better for the Stars this year. They’re an impressive 10-3-1 at the American Airlines Center, while their road record is a disappointing 6-11-2.
The Stars were sitting in a wild card spot for the last few weeks, but now they’re four points out and needing to make up ground quickly if they don’t want to be completely out of the picture by New Year’s Day.
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Tonight’s game will be a challenge as they take on the Flames, who lead the Pacific Division. The Stars have typically played well against the Pacific this season, but last week saw them drop three crucial games against teams in the other half of the Western Conference that could have wild card implications in April.
At least on the plus side, this could potentially be their last game without John Klingberg. After missing six weeks of the season, Klingberg is skating with the team and scheduled to be back by Saturday at the latest. His return is a welcome relief for the Stars, but his absence wasn’t the only reason they lost all four games last week.
This group of forwards posed their own set of challenges last week. Martin Hanzal is back, and he’s done some nice things, but he’s not worth the contract when the Stars need someone faster. Valeri Nichushkin still can’t get a puck in the net, and the team is still looking for some improvements from Mattias Janmark and Brett Ritchie.
This team has a lot of potential they aren’t living up to, but there are also some glaring weak spots on the roster that are looking more and more like they’ll keep this team from pulling off a deep playoff run.
Game Information
Calgary Flames (22-10-2) at Dallas Stars (16-14-3)
7:30 PM CT – American Airlines Center – Dallas, TX
Away TV: FOX Sports Southwest Plus (Josh Bogorad and Daryl Reaugh)
Home TV: Sportsnet West (Rick Ball and Kelly Hrudey)
Away Radio: Sportsradio 1310 AM and 96.7 FM The Ticket (Josh Bogorad and Daryl Reaugh)
Home Radio: Sportsnet 960 The Fan (Derek Wills and Peter Loubardias)
Online Streaming: NHL.tv, Fubo.tv
Last Season vs. Calgary: 3-0-0
This Season vs. Calgary: 1-0-0
Dallas Stars Injury Report
Connor Carrick: Carrick is skating and will hopefully be back next week.
Stephen Johns: Johns is also skating, but there’s no timeline right now.
John Klingberg: Klingberg will finally be back either Thursday or Saturday.
Marc Methot: Methot is the only player on IR who hasn’t been on the ice either right before or during practice this week, and his return is still up in the air.
Calgary Flames Injury Report
Sam Bennett: Bennett missed their last game, but he may be back tonight.
Michael Frolik: Frolik has been on indefinite IR for about a month.
Michael Stone: Stone is on IR while dealing with a blood clot, and like Frolik, there’s no estimated return date for him.
Juuso Valimaki: Valimaki has been out for about three weeks, with no return date set.
Next. Defense Update: Klingberg Skating, Hanley Waived. dark
The Stars need this win tonight, and they’ve got a win streak against the Flames dating back through last season.