Dallas Stars vs Calgary Flames preview: Extinguish the Flames

Aug 20, 2020; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Dallas Stars defenseman John Klingberg (3) and Dallas Stars goaltender Anton Khudobin (35) defend against Calgary Flames center Elias Lindholm (28) during the third period in game six of the first round of the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 20, 2020; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Dallas Stars defenseman John Klingberg (3) and Dallas Stars goaltender Anton Khudobin (35) defend against Calgary Flames center Elias Lindholm (28) during the third period in game six of the first round of the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports

The Dallas Stars make a short trip from Winnipeg to take on the Calgary Flames Thursday night. This will be the first meeting between the two teams this season. Here are what the Stars need to do in order to secure a victory and extinguish the Flames.

Dallas Stars vs Calgary preview: 3. Silence the crowd early

Canadians do love their hockey and Calgary is no exception to that fact. It’s up there in one of the rowdiest arenas in Canada. If the Stars allow them to get ahead early, you can kiss any chance of a victory goodbye. It’s best to silence the crowd early and send them home with a big fat L.

Dallas Stars vs Calgary preview: 2. Stay out of the penalty box

If you watched the game against Winnipeg, you’ll remember that the Jets were able to capitalize on the power play. When the Stars were trying to kill those penalties, their penalty kill was all out of position. If the Stars play clean hockey and stay out of the box, we won’t have the issue of giving up power-play goals.

Dallas Stars vs Calgary preview:1. Bowness needs to stop changing up the lines

One of the key factors of a hockey team is line chemistry. You want to pair players up that play well together. Rick Bowness needs to stop switching up the lines every game and screwing up the chemistry. All he needs to do is just let the lines alone and see if the players complement each other.

Calgary players to watch

Johnny Gaudreau

Gaudreau has only scored a couple of goals this season, but he is still one of their best players. So far this season, he seems to be setting up a lot of his teammates for goals while on the ice. Stars need to make sure he doesn’t touch the puck or else he could rack up another assist.

Elias Lindholm 

Lindholm is their top scorer so far this season with seven goals through nine games so far. Bowness will probably mention him when they go over the scouting report for this game. If the Stars could make him non-existant tomorrow night, they have a good shot at winning the game.