Ducks at Stars
THE STORY: Improbable as it may sound, the Anaheim Ducks continue
to harbor hopes of making a second-half run for a postseason berth in
the Western Conference. That seemed to be a preposterous notion after
the Ducks skidded into oblivion following a six-week stretch in which
they managed only two wins in 18 games. Anaheim, though, has regained
its footing and will look to enter the NHL All-Star break with six
consecutive wins when they visit the plummeting Dallas Stars on Tuesday.
The five-game winning streak has left the Ducks 11 points out of the
No. 8 slot in the West, so they know the margin of error is razor-thin.
"Our goal … was to win out going into the All-Star break,” left wing
Bobby Ryan said. “Every two points going forward is monumental.” The
Stars have dropped five straight to fall four points out of the final
playoff berth.
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, FS Prime Ticket (Anaheim), FS Southwest (Dallas)
ABOUT THE DUCKS (18-22-7):
Goaltender Jonas Hiller has keyed the resurgence for Anaheim, which is
8-0-1 in its last nine. He won his fifth consecutive start with a season
high-tying 43 saves in Sunday’s 3-2 victory over Colorado. Hiller has
lost all three career starts against Dallas, including a pair this
season in which he surrendered eight goals. Ryan scored a pair of goals
against the Avalanche, extending his points streak to eight games. He
has 14 points in his last 13 games.
ABOUT THE STARS (24-21-2): All-Star Jamie Benn, Dallas’
second-leading scorer, was placed on injured reserve after missing the
past four games because of an appendectomy. The Stars have felt his
absence, scoring only six goals during the five-game skid. Captain
Brenden Morrow will also sit out Tuesday, although center Mike Ribeiro
(knee) could return after missing seven games. On Monday, Dallas signed
defenseman Alex Goligoski to a four-year, $18.4 million contract
extension. He was part of the trade that sent James Neal to Pittsburgh
last season.
OVERTIME:
1. Anaheim will be looking
to match its longest win streak since reeling off six straight in
November 2010. The Stars last lost six straight from March 19-April 2
last season.
2. The Stars have dominated the Ducks at home. Anaheim is 8-20-1 in its last 29 visits.
3. During the five-game winning streak, the Ducks are 5 of 13 on the power play and have allowed only seven goals.