Predators at Stars
The Dallas Stars began their four-game homestand with both a victory on the ice as well as a significant loss in the form of defenseman John Klingberg, who will be sidelined at least four weeks after having surgery on his hand. The Stars aim to forge ahead and continue their winning ways at American Airlines Center on Saturday afternoon when they host the Nashville Predators, who are a perfect 7-0-0 on the road this season.
"Here's your opportunity to show everybody that you can be not just a regular NHL player, but a player to be reckoned with in the NHL," Dallas coach Jim Montgomery said of his challenge to his team to overcome the loss of Klingberg. The 26-year-old blue-liner has 13 points (five goals, eight assists) in 16 games this season and had two assists in the Stars' 4-3 shootout win over the visiting Predators on Dec. 23. Dallas has won nine of its last 12 encounters when Nashville pays a visit, but the latter enters Saturday's tilt with four straight wins -- including a 4-1 triumph at Colorado to begin its five-game trek. "I don't know if being on the road and just thinking hockey helps us," Colton Sissons said after he recorded his second career hat trick against the Avalanche. "We've just been playing confident and playing really sharp on the road so far."
TV: 2 p.m. ET, FS Tennessee (Nashville), FS Southwest (Dallas)
ABOUT THE PREDATORS (12-3-0): Reigning Vezina Trophy winner Pekka Rinne has surrendered just seven goals en route to winning six straight decisions overall and turned aside 56 of 57 shots to win both of his encounters with Dallas last season. Nick Bonino set up three goals versus Colorado to give him four assists in his last two games after mustering just two in his previous 13. Ryan Hartman capped the scoring against the Avalanche to boost his point total to four (three goals, one assist) in his last four games.
ABOUT THE STARS (9-6-1): Dallas recalled defenseman Joel Hanley from Texas of the American Hockey League on Friday, one day after Klingberg was injured while blocking a shot in the third period of a 4-3 win over San Jose. The 27-year-old Hanley has scored a goal and set up four others in 11 games with the AHL's Stars this season and has six assists in 22 career NHL contests with Montreal and Arizona. Also on Friday, Dallas placed right wing Alexander Radulov (lower body) on injured reserve retroactive to Oct. 30.
OVERTIME
1. Nashville C Filip Forsberg, who has a team-leading 10 goals, has been held off the scoresheet in four consecutive contests.
2. Stars C Devin Shore recorded his second career two-goal performance on Thursday and has registered at least a point in four straight home games.
3. Nashville C Ryan Johansen, who has a club-best 13 assists and 15 points this season, has 11 and 16, respectively, in 23 career meetings with Dallas.