The Dallas Stars continue their successful roadtrip down in Tampa Bay against the Lightning. The Stars are coming off a dominating win against the Philadelphia Flyers last Sunday afternoon. However, the Lightning are a completely different skill level than the Flyers. The Stars have to play clean against the Lightning or else they’re in for a long night. The Stars still remember losing to them in the Stanley Cup Finals so expect a dog fight. Here are the three keys to the game for the Stars.
Dallas Stars vs Tampa Bay Lightning Preview: 3. Stay out of the penalty box
Definitely need to stay out of the penalty box tonight against the Lightning. Even though the Lightning haven’t had much success scoring on the power play this season, they’re still deadly. the Stars have to make sure their hits are clean and that they don’t get caught tripping anyone. Nikita Kucherov and Steven Stamkos are two players that will make you pay if you commit a penalty. If the Stars can keep out of the penalty box tonight, the Stars have a good chance at winning.
Dallas Stars vs Tampa Bay Lightning Preview: 2. Attack! Attack! Attack!
This would be a game where the Pavelski and Sons line needs to have a career night. The Stars really need to get shots on net early against the Lightning to set the tone early. I don’t care who scores the first goal, but it has to come within the first five minutes of the game. Jason Robertson and Roope Hintz each have an eight game point streak going on. Let’s see if both players can push that to a nine game point streak.
Dallas Stars vs Tampa Bay Lightning Preview: 1. Shut down Kucherov and Stamkos
Like I mentioned in the paragraph above, Kucherov and Stamkos are pretty good goal scorers on the Lightning. The Stars need to apply that same defensive pressure tonight that they did on Connor McDavid a couple weeks ago. If the Stars allow both of these players to get shots on net constantly, it could be a long game for Dallas.
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