Stars at Coyotes
The Dallas Stars look to complete a sweep of their home-and-home series against the Coyotes as they kick off a three-game road trip in Phoenix on Saturday. Dallas squandered leads of 2-0 and 3-2 before posting a 4-3 shootout victory at home against its Pacific Division rival on Friday. Jaromir Jagr, who recorded two goals and two assists in a season-opening triumph over Phoenix, scored the decisive tally in the fourth round of the shootout as Dallas snapped a four-game winless streak.
The Coyotes showed resiliency by battling back from a pair of deficits to earn a point. However, they were unable to avoid their fourth loss in five games and fell to 0-2-1 on the road this season. Phoenix, which begins a three-game homestand on Saturday, could have Raffi Torres back in the lineup as the left wing completed his 21-game suspension for delivering a hit to the head of Chicago's Marian Hossa during last year's Stanley Cup playoffs.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, FSN Southwest (Dallas), FSN Plus Arizona (Phoenix)
ABOUT THE STARS (3-4-1): Dallas was aided by an infusion of youth on Friday. Left wing Antoine Roussel scored in his NHL debut while defenseman Brenden Dillon recorded his first career points with a goal and an assist. "That was fun. I'm happy to get the first one out of the way," Roussel said. Blue-liner Jamie Oleksiak also made his debut, registering one shot on goal in 15:32 of ice time. "I thought he played a pretty solid game," coach Glen Gulutzan said." I thought he did a good job blocking shots in front of our net and getting people out of the way."
ABOUT THE COYOTES (2-4-2): While the Stars were sparked by a pair of rookies, Phoenix received a jolt with the return of center Martin Hanzal, who scored two goals after missing two straight games and four of the previous five with a lower-body injury. "He was a good player for us tonight," coach Dave Tippett said. "He was a guy that was questionable whether he'd be in the lineup or not. He gave us a heck of a game." Goaltender Mike Smith also returned to the lineup following a four-game absence due to a groin injury. Smith allowed two goals on six shots in the first period but stopped all 10 shots he faced over the final 25 minutes. Left wing Steve Sullivan missed his second straight game with a lower-body injury.
OVERTIME
1. Roussel is the first Star to score a goal in his NHL debut since Raymond Sawada on Feb. 19, 2009.
2. Seven of the last 11 meetings between the teams have been decided after regulation.
3. Dallas LW Michael Ryder recorded his 400th career point with a goal in the second period Friday.
PREDICTION: Coyotes 4, Stars 2.