Stars at Devils
THE STORY: It's rather appropriate that the New Jersey Devils will be hosting the Dallas Stars on Friday night. Because prior to the game, the Devils will honor one of the biggest stars in franchise history when they retire the number of standout defenseman Scott Niedermayer. The No. 27 jersey of Niedermayer will be just the third to be retired by the team, along with fellow blue-liners Scott Stevens and Ken Daneyko. “I think we showed that in the years that we had a lot of success as far as the way our defensive core stayed together," Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur said. “You’re talking about three guys that played with each other for over 10 years.” Niedermayer played 12 seasons with the club and was an integral part of New Jersey's three Stanley Cup-winning teams (1995, 2000, 2003). It’s the final stop of a five-game road trip for Dallas, which has won three straight.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, FSSW, MSG+
ABOUT THE STARS (18-11-1): Rookie Richard Bachman has stabilized Dallas’ goaltending situation in the absence of injured Kari Lehtonen. After Andrew Raycroft allowed 10 goals in back-to-back losses, Bachman got his chance and has won his first three starts, including a 3-2 win over the New York Islanders on Thursday. Jamie Benn and Loui Eriksson each had a goal and an assist Thursday as the Stars maintain a two-point lead over San Jose atop the Pacific Division.
ABOUT THE DEVILS (16-13-1): New Jersey, which has won four of its last five, will welcome back another familiar face Friday. C Travis Zajac will make his season debut after missing the first 30 games with a torn Achilles’ tendon. Zajac had a career-high 25 goals and 67 points in 2009-10. New Jersey has played five straight one-goal games, including wins at Tampa Bay and Florida earlier in the week. G Johan Hedberg is expected to start Friday.
OVERTIME:
1. Going beyond regulation doesn’t faze the Devils, who are 7-1 in shootouts and 2-0 in overtime this season.
2. The Stars beat the Devils 3-1 earlier this season, but they are 1-5 in their last six visits to New Jersey.