Stars at Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers survived a difficult road trip and are getting used to their perch atop the Pacific Division as they prepare to host the Dallas Stars on Friday night. The Oilers, who have not made the playoffs since 2005-06, finished 2-2-1 on their trek after a 4-3 loss at Pittsburgh on Tuesday and come home for a pair of games before another tough road stretch.
“Within the room we have a bigger confidence than people might think we do,” Edmonton forward Leon Draisaitl told the Edmonton Sun. “It’s such a different feeling than last year, being considered one of the best teams in the league. We want to keep it going. We’re sick of losing here.” Captain Jamie Benn snapped a nine-game goal drought with a pair of tallies Thursday in Dallas’ 4-2 victory at Calgary — only its second triumph in eight games (2-4-2). Benn has posted 13 goals and 22 points in 22 career games against Edmonton. The Stars had given up 28 goals in seven games before holding the Flames to a pair of tallies on 32 shots and blanked Calgary on two man-advantage chances after yielding nine power-play goals in the previous eight contests.
TV: 9 p.m. ET, FSN Southwest (Dallas), Sportsnet West (Edmonton)
ABOUT THE STARS (5-6-3): Tyler Seguin notched an assist on Thursday to push his team-leading total to 15 points and has had some success against Edmonton, recording six goals and 10 points in 10 games. Goalie Kari Lehtonen backstopped the Stars with 29 saves against Calgary, which could give the net to Antti Niemi (3-2-1, .892 save percentage) on Friday. Veteran forward Patrick Sharp, out since Oct. 20 with a concussion, skated with the team Thursday and could return as early as Sunday in Vancouver.
ABOUT THE OILERS (9-4-1): Connor McDavid has gone six games without a goal, but notched four assists in the last two games and stands among the league leaders with 17 points while the power play went 4-for-13 on the trip. Fellow forward Jordan Eberle is second on the team in scoring with 11 points after recording a pair of goals and three assists over the last four contests. Goalie Cam Talbot has decent numbers overall (8-4-1, .921 save percentage), but has surrendered three or more goals in his last four outings.
OVERTIME
1. The Stars have at least a point in seven of their last eight meetings (5-1-2) with the Oilers.
2. Edmonton D Kris Russell, a late free-agent signing, boasts three assists, 31 blocked shots and a plus-6 rating through the first 14 games.
3. Dallas still is missing C Jason Spezza (lower-body), who has begun skating, and LW Jiri Hudler (illness).