Stars at Flames
THE STORY: The Dallas Stars have climbed into the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. The task of improving that position – or at least securing it – begins on Sunday when they visit the 11th-place Calgary Flames. Just four points behind Dallas and San Jose for the final two playoff spots, the Flames are among a handful of teams that have the Stars in their playoff crosshairs. This is the second of four meetings between the clubs, with the Stars winning the first contest at home 3-2 in a shootout.
TV: 6 p.m. ET, FS-SW, SNET-West
ABOUT THE STARS (34-26-5): If Dallas is going to end a three-year playoff drought, it will be for three simple reasons – All-Star Loui Eriksson, Mike Ribeiro and Michael Ryder. The Stars’ top-line has combined for 45 points (18 goals, 27 assists) in the 17 games since the NHL All-Star break. “The good players find chemistry and they’ve been very valuable for us down the stretch,” says coach Glen Gulutzan. Eriksson has seven points in his last four outings and 13 in his last 17 contests. “Yeah, we’ve been playing really good together, finding ways to score and get scoring opportunities. That’s what they expect from us, too. We need to continue doing it,” Eriksson said.
ABOUT THE FLAMES (29-25-11): Calgary has a tough challenge ahead as it plays its next 15 games over a 28-day span. “You look at your schedule and there’s not going to be a lot of time for practices,” coach Brent Sutter said. “I have to make sure I manage it appropriately. … Guys have to make sure they’re fresh for every game.” Appropriate management for Sutter will partly be deciding how much to play his All-Star goalie Miikka Kiprusoff down the stretch. “Probably of all the guys, he’s one guy who isn’t going to practice a whole bunch from here till the end of the year,” Sutter said. “At this time of year, you need your No. 1 goalie. He’s going to play a lot.”
OVERTIME:
1. Nine of Calgary’s last 13 games have been decided by one goal.
2. The Flames are 0-2-2 in their last four home games, being outscored 18-9.
3. The Stars are 7-0-1 versus Canadian-based teams this season.