The Dallas Stars were lucky to escape Los Angeles last night with two points based on the lack of offense after Wyatt Johnston scored the first goal of the game. However, Jason Robertson bailed them out by flinging the puck at the net. The Stars might not be so lucky tonight in Anaheim as they face a Ducks team that has lost their last nine games in a row. That is something sports fans like to call a trap game. It's very dangerous, especially for the Dallas Stars after playing last night.
The Stars can't be content with one goal tonight. You don't know how long Casey DeSmith is going to be able to hold back the Ducks tonight. They need to give him that nice goal cushion, so he doesn't give the game up in the final period. I want to see an all-out Stars ambush tonight, with Mikko Rantanen leading the charge. Can the Stars find a way to make the Ducks' losing streak ten games in a row? Here are the four keys to tonight's contest against the Anaheim Ducks.
Dallas Stars vs. Anaheim Ducks: 4. Don't go into cruise control
The Stars can't go into cruise control mode after scoring one goal tonight. I know the Kings' defense was excellent last night, but with the Ducks in the middle of a crisis, you can't take the Ducks for granted. I want to see the Stars really take the Ducks out of the game early to the point that they don't want to come out for the second period tonight. That's the type of game the Stars need as they look to steal another two points on the road as they close out their road trip on Thursday in Utah.
Dallas Stars vs. Anaheim Ducks: 3. Let the Moose loose
I want to see wildlife clash tonight in Anaheim. I don't think the Ducks are going to love having a moose loose in their habitat. I know he was not happy after having his goal rescinded in Los Angeles. I wouldn't be shocked if he went off tonight to make up for that goal. That's the kind of player that Mikko Rantanen needs to be tonight as the Stars look to continue their win streak. If the Moose is loose tonight on the ice, good luck to the Ducks snapping their losing streak.
Dallas Stars vs. Anaheim Ducks: 2. Shut down Cutter Gauthier
Once again, the Stars need to find a way to take Cutter Gauthier out of the game tonight. I'm not talking about intentionally injuring him; it's more of making sure he doesn't get the puck on his stick in front of DeSmith. The Stars' defense needs to do a good job of making sure he doesn't park it in front of the net for an easy rebound goal. I want to see him covered to the point where he doesn't get the puck on his stick. Shut him down and continue the win streak tonight, Stars.
Dallas Stars vs. Anaheim Ducks: 1. Copy the defense from last night
I thought the Stars had an excellent defense against the Kings last night. They didn't overreact and stayed in their lanes. If the Stars want to beat the Ducks tonight, they need to copy that defense. The Ducks have a lot of good young players who love to find the back of the net. I don't want to see players like Miro Heiskanen double-teamed by any of the Ducks tonight. The Stars would take two steps back if their defense collapses against Anaheim tonight.