Stars at Flames
THE STORY: The Pacific Division-leading Dallas Stars begin a four-game road trip Monday as they conclude a home-and-home series with the floundering Calgary Flames. Dallas, which posted a 4-1 home victory over Calgary on Saturday, go for the sweep of the four-game season series. The Stars are even in points with Phoenix but are atop the division by virtue of more regulation and overtime wins. Calgary has lost five straight and is three points out of a playoff spot with six games remaining.
TV: 9 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (Stars), RS West (Flames)
ABOUT THE STARS (41-29-5): After scoring 22 goals in each of his first two NHL seasons, Jamie Benn set a career high of 24 with a pair of tallies Saturday. Kari Lehtonen became the first Stars goaltender since Marty Turco in November 2007 to record an assist in back-to-back games when he helped set up Michael Ryder's team-leading 33rd goal. Right wing Reilly Smith will join the team in Calgary after signing a three-year contract. The 20-year-old finalist for the Hobey Baker Award recorded 30 goals and 18 assists in 39 games with Miami University this season.
ABOUT THE FLAMES (34-27-15): Calgary is kicking off a string of three straight games at home, where it has earned at least one point in each of its last six (4-0-2). Captain Jarome Iginla is not optimistic about the team's prospects of making the playoffs. "Our chances are slim," he said. "We most likely have to run the table. But we won't give up." Mike Cammalleri scored the club's lone goal Saturday in his first game back in the lineup. He had missed the previous nine contests with what is believed to be a concussion.
OVERTIME:
1. Calgary has lost 16 of its last 23 games against Pacific teams.
2. The Flames have scored a total of six goals during their five-game skid.
3. Dallas is 12-3-1 in its last 16 games overall and has won six of seven on the road.