Oilers at Stars
THE STORY: The Edmonton Oilers halted a four-game losing skid over the weekend with their best offensive showing in 16 years. Coach Tom Renney can only hope his players saved some goals for the coming week as they embark on a tough four-game road trip beginning Monday against the Dallas Stars. Edmonton's nine-goal explosion against the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday provided Edmonton with only its third victory of the month. A fourth will prove difficult against the Stars, even with the home side reeling from a five-game losing streak. Dallas has played Edmonton tough the previous two years, but will need to rediscover its offense after being held to only four total goals during the skid. Monday's contest marks the first meeting between the teams this season.
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, SNET (Edmonton), FS Southwest (Dallas)
ABOUT THE OILERS (10-7-2): After a whirlwind of goals and several scoring changes throughout the night, Edmonton's three young superstars finished with a combined 12 points against an overmatched Chicago club. Taylor Hall led the way with his second career hat trick while Jordan Eberle had a goal and three assists, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins added a career-best five helpers. The big night moved Nugent-Hopkins back into the rookie scoring lead with 19 points.
ABOUT THE STARS (11-8-0): Dallas's recent struggles have completely baffled players, coaches and fans alike. After scoring 20 times during a four-game winning streak in early-November, the Stars went more than nine periods between goals earlier this week as they slipped to fourth in the Pacific Division and 10th in the Western Conference, tied with the Oilers at 22 points through 19 games. They are coming off a 4-1 loss to San Jose in the opener of a four-game homestand.
OVERTIME:
1. Hall will need to find his offensive game away from Edmonton. The former first overall pick has only two assists in eight road games, compared to 12 points in 10 games at home.
2. Dallas forward Jamie Benn has been virtually invisible during the streak with one assist. He has six goals and three assists in six career games against the Oilers.
3. Stars coach Glen Gulutzan acknowledges his team's fast start earned it a giant target. "The honeymoon is over," he said. "You start off 11-3 and teams are prepared. They're prepared to play you. They watch you a little closer."