Stars at Blues
THE STORY: The Dallas Stars and rookie goaltender Richard Bachman have continued taking care of business. Bachman is expected to make his eighth straight start when Dallas visits the St. Louis Blues on Monday. Bachman (5-2-0), who appeared in one NHL game for 10 minutes prior to this season, has been a big reason why the Stars have remained at or near the top of the Pacific Division. Dallas is 7-4-0 since top goaltender Kari Lehtonen went down with a knee injury on Nov. 26. The Blues are 14-3-4 since Ken Hitchcock took over as coach, but 2-1-1 in their last four. St. Louis plays 10 of its next 13 at home, where it is 13-3-1. The Stars have won five straight over the Blues, including two in St. Louis. Dallas won the season’s first meeting at home 3-2.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, Versus
ABOUT THE STARS (20-13-1): Lehtonen practiced Thursday and could return against Columbus on Thursday or versus Boston on Saturday. He is not expected to play Monday. Dallas could be light on defense as Stephane Robidas (foot) has missed two straight games and Sheldon Souray left Friday’s 6-3 victory over Nashville with an ankle injury. Both are questionable for Monday's tilt. Steve Ott has five points in as many games, including his first multi-point contest of the season (goal and assist) Friday. Mike Ribeiro has two goals and four points in his last three.
ABOUT THE BLUES (20-10-4): Goaltenders Brian Elliott and Jaroslav Halak have started 17 games apiece, with Elliott (14-3-0, NHL-leading 1.55 goals against average, .943 save percentage) owning a significant statistical advantage (6-7-4, 2.37, .903). Andy McDonald, who has missed 31 games since suffering a concussion against Dallas on Oct. 13, took a light skate Friday but is still far from returning to the lineup. C Vladimir Sobotka has missed five games (ankle) and is questionable.
OVERTIME:
1. Dallas is 50-0-5 when leading after two periods since a 4-2 loss at Nashville on Oct. 31, 2009.
2. The Blues have the league’s worst power play at 10.3 percent.