Flames at Stars
The Dallas Stars wrap up a four-game homestand on Monday looking to avoid a five-game winless streak when they host the Calgary Flames. The Flames have won their last two games and recorded two victories against the Stars in February. Dallas was trounced 8-1 by Chicago on Saturday to drop to 0-3-1 in its last four games, during which the team has scored just three goals. Calgary has scored 11 in its last two games, highlighted by a hat trick by Curtis Glencross in Friday’s 6-3 triumph over Nashville.
The Stars hold a one-point advantage on the Flames in the Western Conference, but neither team resides in a playoff spot. Kari Lehtonen allowed four goals in 28 minutes against Chicago and Richard Bachman allowed another four in his first appearance since Feb. 26, leaving Dallas with questions in the crease as well as on the scoreboard. Calgary is winless in six away games (0-5-1) since defeating Dallas 4-3 on Feb. 17 and plays four of its next five on the road - a stretch that should help define the Flames’ role at the trade deadline.
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, Sportsnet West, Fox Sports Southwest Plus
ABOUT THE FLAMES (11-11-4): Captain Jarome Iginla remains a focal point of trade rumors, with the Los Angeles Kings joining the Boston Bruins and Pittsburgh Penguins on the list of interested teams. Although drafted by Dallas in 1995, Iginla has played his entire career in Calgary, amassing 523 goals and 1,092 points in 1,214 games. He also has the final say on where he plays since his contract contains a no-trade clause. With Iginla’s potential departure and the regression of veteran goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff, the Flames need to develop a young core to focus their rebuilding efforts. That premise suffered a setback on Friday when Mikael Backlund injured his right foot. Backlund, who has three points in four games this month, is day-to-day and might play on Monday.
ABOUT THE STARS (12-12-3): Dallas’ scoring depth has suffered since Michael Ryder was traded to Montreal for Erik Cole. Ryder, who had 14 points in 19 games with the Stars, has nine points in eight contests with the Canadiens - whereas Cole has one goal in seven games with his new team. Jaromir Jagr has four goals this month; no other Star has more than one. Jamie Benn missed two games with a wrist injury but recorded an assist in his return on Saturday. Ray Whitney has two points in three games after missing 16 contests with a broken foot, giving the Stars an almost completely healthy roster. Ryan Garbutt remains day-to-day with a hand injury, which was suffered on Thursday.
OVERTIME
1. Calgary is 4-7-0 against Pacific Division opponents.
2. Kiprusoff will miss Monday’s game following the birth of his second child. Joey MacDonald will likely get the start, while Danny Taylor has been recalled from the American Hockey League.
3. The Flames are 7-2-2 in their last 11 trips to Dallas.
PREDICTION: Flames 4, Stars 2