Stars at Oilers
THE STORY: The Dallas Stars kick off their three-game road trip Friday with a matchup against the Edmonton Oilers at Rexall Place. Dallas, which has a one-point lead over Los Angeles and Colorado for eighth place in the Western Conference, has earned at least one point in each of its last five games (4-0-1). The Stars are 2-0-1 in their last three on the road and have won seven of eight overall meetings with the Oilers. Edmonton enters having won three of its last five overall contests, but has lost five of six at home.
TV: 9:30 p.m. ET, FSN Southwest Plus (Dallas), TSN (Edmonton)
ABOUT THE STARS (33-26-5): All-Star Jamie Benn made his presence felt in his return from injury Wednesday, scoring a goal in the 4-3 shootout loss to Pittsburgh. Benn had missed Dallas' previous six games with a cut behind his knee. "It felt good to get out there and play," Benn said. "I hated having to watch games." Mike Ribeiro is riding an eight-game points streak during which he has collected three goals and eight assists. The NHL has decided not to suspend Eric Nystrom for his hit on Pittsburgh's Kris Letang, who may have suffered a concussion. Nystrom believes it was the correct decision. "I understand the league is sensitive and I never want to see anybody hurt, but it was not a bad hit," he said. "There was no hearing or anything. I think that says a lot."
ABOUT THE OILERS (25-32-6): Nikolai Khabibulin was activated from injured reserve and could return between the pipes after missing the last five games with a groin injury. The veteran is 17-19-3 lifetime against the Stars with two shutouts and a 2.80 goals-against average. To make room for Khabibulin, Edmonton assigned Yann Danis to Oklahoma City of the American Hockey League. Danis made his Oilers debut in Wednesday's loss to St. Louis, allowing two goals on 12 shots in relief of Devan Dubnyk. Taylor Hall is in the midst of a five-game points streak. The 20-year-old has notched three goals and four assists during his run.
OVERTIME:
1. Each of the last three meetings between the teams have been 4-1 decisions, with Dallas winning both of the previous two matchups this season.
2. Neither club has fared well on Fridays of late as the Stars have lost six of eight and the Oilers 11 of 16.