Rangers at Stars
With the league's second-highest scoring team coming to town, the Dallas Stars picked an opportune time to get their own offense untracked. Fresh off a third-period goal-scoring binge in a win over Anaheim, the Stars look to keep the momentum going when they continue their five-game homestand against the New York Rangers on Thursday night.
Dallas, which led the Western Conference in points last season behind the league's top-ranked offense, erupted for five unanswered goals in the third period in Tuesday's 6-2 victory over Anaheim. "Our best players were our best players, and it made a big difference," coach Lindy Ruff said after the Stars halted a two-game losing streak. New York, which is averaging 3.42 goals, had a three-game winning streak snapped in a 2-1 home loss to Chicago on Tuesday night. The Rangers have permitted three goals over the past four contests, a stretch made noteworthy because it marks the first time netminder Henrik Lundqvist has served as a backup in four consecutive games.
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, MSG (New York), FSN Southwest Plus (Dallas)
ABOUT THE RANGERS (20-10-1): Despite the stellar play of backup netminder Antti Raanta during the four-game stretch, Lundqvist told the New York Post following Wednesday's practice that he expects to be in goal versus Dallas. "I don’t feel that I have anything more to prove than I ever do," Lundqvist said. "I know what my job is.” Power forward Rick Nash has missed the past four games due to a groin injury, but he practiced fully Wednesday and also appears ready to return to the starting lineup against the Stars.
ABOUT THE STARS (12-13-6): Aside from the offense waking up, captain Jamie Benn said it was important for Dallas to set the right tone Tuesday while starting a stretch of eight home games in the next nine. "We all realize where we are in the standings and how we've been playing," Benn said. "We see this homestand as a big one for us, it could be make or break. We want to make something out of it." Benn has three three-point games in the last nine, but he has not hit the scoresheet in nine contests versus New York.
OVERTIME
1. F Tyler Seguin leads the Stars with 31 points, but he has one goal in 17 games against New York.
2. Lundqvist owns a 7-4-0 record and 2.09 goals-against average versus the Stars.
3. Dallas has surrendered five power-play goals over the last three games.