Dallas Stars look to extinguish the Calgary Flames to end road trip

DALLAS, TEXAS - JANUARY 14: Mikael Backlund #11 of the Calgary Flames passes the puck against Colin Miller #6 of the Dallas Stars in the second period at American Airlines Center on January 14, 2023 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TEXAS - JANUARY 14: Mikael Backlund #11 of the Calgary Flames passes the puck against Colin Miller #6 of the Dallas Stars in the second period at American Airlines Center on January 14, 2023 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

I’m sure the Dallas Stars want to forget about their embarrassing loss to the Vancouver Canucks this week. They can easily do that tonight as they try to extinguish the Calgary Flames to end their road trip on a high note. It looks like the Minnesota Wild are taking on the Boston Bruins so if the Stars win tonight, they can widen the gap between them. The Stars must get out there tonight and let the Flames have it. Consider it a “therapy session” for all their recent troubles recently.

Dallas Stars vs Calgary Flames Preview: 3. Get back to “Texas Hockey”

The Stars have had a tough time trying to get back to playing as their team identity. It seemed when Marchement and Seguin went down, the Stars got sidetracked. With the regular season wrapping up here in the next couple of weeks, they need to start playing Texas Hockey. What I mean by that is checking their opponents into the boards to the point where they don’t want to come back out in the second period. It also means scoring more than three goals a game.

Dallas Stars vs Calgary Flames Preview: 2. Help Otter

The Stars have got to get back to helping Jake Oettinger out in the Stars zone. The poor guy can’t stop 50 shots a game in order to give the Stars a chance to win. If the team can just clear the puck out of the zone, that’s helping him out. It also means not allowing them to set up to get an amazing shot. Oettinger has been carrying this team in some games this season by holding the opponent at bay offensively. It’s time that the team repaid the favor and help him win some games.

Dallas Stars vs Calgary Flames Preview: 1. Which Jacob Markstrom shows up?

I have a gut feeling we might see Jacob Markstrom start for the Flames against the Stars tonight. He was a great goalie last year giving the Stars fits during the seven-game playoff series last season. This year he’s been a completely different goalie. I’m hoping that the Stars come into this game with the mindset that they will get the Markstrom from last season. The last thing that the Stars need to do tonight is allowing him to get some confidence and get back to his former self.

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