Dallas looks to close gap with Vegas

On Jan. 1 the Stars had the third finest document within the league at 23-9-6 (.684) and sat 10 factors forward of eighth place within the West.

On Saturday, Dallas is eighth within the league at 30-16-12 (.621) and sits three factors out of eighth place within the West.

The Stars are 7-7-6 up to now 20 video games.

There may be not solely concern associated to their present struggles of scoring sufficient targets and worthwhile energy play alternatives, but it surely additionally makes each level that rather more worthwhile. On Saturday the Stars play the Golden Knights who sit in first place within the West, three factors forward of the Stars, so it must be some further motivation for Dallas to attempt to get that prime spot again. However the true nervousness begins when you think about that Winnipeg is one level again, Minnesota is 2 factors again and Colorado is three factors again.

Dallas as soon as had a reasonably good maintain on the Central Division lead, and now fourth place would not appear that distant. Sure, there nonetheless is a six-point cushion on the playoff reduce line, however so much has modified for the Stars up to now two months.

“It is getting fairly tight there, so it may make this final stretch somewhat extra enjoyable for everyone,” mentioned defenseman Jani Hakanpää. “I feel it may be good for us. We have to have a playoff mentality down the stretch.”

The Stars are coming off a intestine punch loss to the Blackhawks and are 2-3-5 of their previous 10 video games. Vegas is 6-0-1 in its previous seven video games and is beginning to click on. Dallas beat Vegas, 4-0, in its final journey right here, so the Golden Knights must be motivated. The Stars are attempting to straighten the ship, so they need to be motivated too.

“For us, we have set to work our manner out of it and discover that swagger and confidence once more,” Stars coach Pete DeBoer mentioned.

As Hakanpää famous, it is perhaps a great factor that standings are tightening up. It actually will take a look at the Stars.

“Let’s be sincere. I do not assume anybody noticed us operating away with the convention by 15 or 20 factors, so we knew this was going to be a dogfight proper to the final day of the season,” DeBoer mentioned. “We’re in a great spot. We have simply received to get again on the suitable facet of it once more.”

Jake Oettinger will begin in objective, however Scott Wedgewood, who missed final recreation, will again up. Meaning the Stars have the cap area and the roster spot to name up one other ahead. They selected not to do this and can go along with 11 forwards and 7 defensemen (which they did towards Chicago). If morning skate was any indication, it seems Joel Hanley will doubtless play extra protection and the facilities are most likely going to be double-shifted.

“I feel the schedule permits us to do that,” DeBoer mentioned. “We have had a reasonably gentle schedule and it provides us the chance to do this.”

Key Numbers

7-5-12

The Stars are 7-5-12 in one-goal video games. They’re tied for the NHL lead in time beyond regulation/shootout losses. Vegas is 17-7-5 in one-goal video games (third within the NHL). The Golden Knights are 9-5 in time beyond regulation/shootouts.

35

Dallas is third in fewest targets towards within the first interval at 35. Vegas is fifth at 38.

6.6

Vegas is first within the NHL in fewest penalty minutes per recreation at 6.6. The Golden Knights have been shorthanded 142 occasions, least within the league. Dallas has been shorthanded 185 occasions (twentieth).

He mentioned it

“It normally comes down to 1 play or two performs an evening, and it is proper there. We do loads of good issues, and it simply comes right down to somewhat stretch right here or there.”

– Stars ahead Joe Pavelski on the staff’s scoring troubles since Jan. 1 . Dallas averages 2.45 targets per recreation, which ranks twenty seventh within the NHL.
 

Anticipated lineup

Robertson-Hintz-Pavelski
Benn-Johnston-Dellandrea
Marchment-Faksa-Seguin
Olofsson-Gurianov

Heiskanen-Miller
Lindell-Hakanpää
Suter-Lundkvist
Hanley

Oettinger
Wedgewood

This story was not topic to the approval of the Nationwide Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Membership.

Mike Heika is a Senior Workers Author for DallasStars.com and has lined the Stars since 1994. Comply with him on Twitter @MikeHeika.