Stars at Red Wings
THE STORY: Not many expected the Dallas Stars to make much noise this season. After all, they have missed the Stanley Cup playoffs three straight years and lost their best player – Brad Richards – to free agency during the offseason. But the games are played on sheets of ice – not paper - and Dallas has been the surprise of the early NHL season. The Stars will also try to continue their domination of the Red Wings when they visit Detroit on Saturday. Dallas has won five of the last six meetings and eight of 10, including two straight and four of five at Detroit. The Red Wings have been a streaky bunch. After opening the season 5-0-0, they lost six straight (0-5-1), but have rebounded with three wins in a row, including a 3-0 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Friday. The Stars had their four-game winning streak snapped with a 3-1 loss at Pittsburgh on Friday, and lost more than just a game.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Detroit, TXA 21 (Dallas)
ABOUT THE STARS (11-4-0): Dallas was dealt a blow when defenseman Alex Goligoski injured his thumb after he was hit by Chris Kunitz’ shot in the first period. Coach Glen Gulutzan said he will be out for some time. Goligoski was playing his first game against his former team. He was traded for James Neal, who scored twice Friday. Andrew Raycroft (0-2-0, 2.56 goals-against average, .902 save percentage) is expected to start in goal. He is 5-2-0 with a 2.63 GAA and a .920 save percentage against Detroit in his career.
ABOUT THE RED WINGS (8-5-1): Ty Conklin (1-2-0, 3.37 GAA, .882 save percentage) could start in goal after Jimmy Howard played his seventh straight game Friday. Conklin, though, is 2-3-0 with a 2.66 GAA and .899 save percentage in his career against Dallas and Howard has shutouts in two of his last three games. Todd Bertuzzi will miss his fourth straight game with a sinus infection and a bought with dizziness. He made it halfway through Thursday’s practice before leaving the ice.
OVERTIME:
1. The Stars are 0-2-0 in the second game of a back-to-back situation; The Red Wings are 1-2-0.
2. The over is 7-3 in the Stars’ last 10 games playing on zero days rest.