Penguins at Stars
THE STORY:
The Pittsburgh Penguins and Dallas Stars are certainly trending in the
right direction. After winning all three games on their recent homestand
and 15 of their last 20 (15-4-1) overall, Evgeni Malkin and the
visiting Penguins will look to shoot down the Stars on Wednesday. For
its part, Dallas has enjoyed a four-game winning streak to claim a share
of eighth place in the Western Conference.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network, TSN2
ABOUT THE PENGUINS (36-21-5): Left wing James Neal will be making
his first return to the Lone Star State since being traded from Dallas
last year. Neal has clearly been inspired in his new surroundings as he
has collected a career-high 30 goals this season - including a pair of
tallies in a 3-1 home triumph over the Stars on Nov. 11. To reward his
spectacular play, the Penguins presented Neal with a six-year contract
extension worth $30 million only 10 days ago.
ABOUT THE STARS (33-26-4):
Center Mike Ribeiro continued his sizzling play by deflecting former
Penguins defenseman Alex Goligoski's shot late in the third period to
give Dallas a 3-2 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Sunday. Ribeiro,
who is riding a seven-game point streak, has collected more than a
point per contest against Pittsburgh (19 points, 17 career games).
Goaltender Kari Lehtonen, who was named the NHL's Third Star of the Week
on Monday, owns a 7-4-2 career mark versus Pittsburgh - but has dropped
three of his last four meetings against the Steel City residents.
OVERTIME:
1.
Lehtonen's primary responsibility will be stopping Malkin, who has 20
goals in as many games. The potential Hart Trophy candidate has 37
tallies this season - and is only nine away from tying his career mark
set in 2007-08.
2. All-Star left wing Jamie Benn is expected to
return to the ice for the Stars following a six-game absence because of a
nasty leg laceration.
3. After receiving a rare day off in
Pittsburgh's 4-2 victory over Columbus on Sunday, goaltender Marc-Andre
Fleury will be back in net on Wednesday. Fleury has won all five career
meetings versus Dallas.