Ducks at Stars
THE STORY: The great philosopher Yogi Berra once said: “It gets late early out there.’’ He wasn’t talking about the Anaheim Ducks’ season, but he might as well have been. The Ducks are a whopping 14 points out of playoff position as they visit the first-place Dallas Stars on Monday. Anaheim has the second-fewest points in the NHL and must start to build momentum – now – or risk being out of serious playoff contention before the calendar flips to 2012. The Stars and rookie goaltender Richard Bachman had their three-game winning streaks snapped in Friday’s 6-3 loss at New Jersey, which finished a 3-2-0 road trip for Dallas. With five of their next six at home, the Stars have a chance to separate themselves from San Jose, which shares the Pacific Division lead, and buy some more time until No. 1 goaltender Kari Lehtonen returns.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, Versus
ABOUT THE DUCKS (9-18-5): Anaheim has lost 11 straight on the road (0-8-3) and given up 40 goals during that span. The Ducks lost 5-3 in Teemu Selanne’s return to Winnipeg on Saturday. Selanne had two assists and has an eight-game point streak. Anaheim showed some life, especially in the third period, and hopes to take that momentum to Dallas. Center Saku Koivu has missed four games with a groin injury, and is questionable to play Monday. Jonas Hiller is 4-4-0, 2.46, .927 in his career against Dallas.
ABOUT THE STARS (18-12-1): Dallas is 5-3-0 without Lehtonen, who isn’t expected to return from his groin injury until after Christmas. Bachman is 3-1-0 in his first four NHL starts and has impressed Glen Gulutzan with his calm demeanor. Andrew Raycroft is 4-1-0, 3.45, .881 in his career against Anaheim. Defenseman Philip Larsen left Friday’s game with a lower body injury. Mark Fistric, who was a healthy scratch Friday after missing three games because of suspension, could return to the lineup in Larsen’s place.
OVERTIME:
1. Dallas (2.5 goals per game) and Anaheim (2.3) are in the bottom third of the league in scoring.
2. Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau is 2-5-1 since taking over for Randy Carlyle.