The Dallas Stars will look to continue their good play in order to gain some valuable points in the playoff race, but it won't be an easy week for them.
The Stars will start the week tonight at home against the struggling New York Rangers, who could be ready to be sellers at the deadline. Dallas will then travel to Chicago to take on the Blackhawks, who have a lot of work to do to get back into the playoff picture, on Thursday night. The Stars end their week with a home game against the red hot defending champions, Pittsburgh Penguins.
Dallas will look to gain an important two points in the comfort of their own building where they have played extremely well. The Stars need to play with some discipline and not give the Rangers too many power play advantages since they have been decent on the power play this year. Dallas will want to win the special teams battle since the Rangers are only in the middle of the pack in the special teams categories. The Stars need to have the lead entering the third period since they have yet to register a regulation win when trailing entering the second period. Dallas should look to have a better finish to the game and play solid defense in the third period. The Stars should keep an eye on Mats Zuccarello and J.T. Miller when they are on the ice since they lead the team in points.
The Rangers need to find a way to get out of their funk and a big win against the Stars could be just what the doctor ordered for them. New York should be able to stop the balanced lineup of the Stars by establishing a forecheck early and spending some time in the offensive zone. The Rags will want to be discipline since the Stars have a lethal power play that can strike at any time when given the chance. The Rangers need to win the battle at even strength because they have struggled in this area. New York needs to get a good game from their goaltender, who needs to make saves and keep the team in the game.
On Thursday night, the Stars will take on Central Divsion Rivals, the Chicago Blackhawks. The Stars will need to know where Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat are when they are on the ice because they have been two of the best players for the Blackhawks this year. Dallas needs to play a consistent 60 minute game and be ready to play from the drop of the puck. The Stars will want to be solid at even strength since the Blackhawks have struggled on the power play. Dallas needs to take the two points that will be there for the taking and play a solid defensive game.
The Blackhawks will want to get the first goal of the game to get off to a fast start. Chicago needs to find a way to minimize the damage that could be done by Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin. The Blackhawks want to get the power play going, which has been struggling all season long. The goaltending of the Blackhawks is going to need to come up big and make some saves for his team. Chicago will need to get the forecheck and cycle game going early to keep the Stars in their own end and away from the offensive zone.
The Stars end their week with a huge test against the red hot Pittsburgh Penguins. The Pens are heating up at the right time and the Stars look to put out the fire for at least one game. Dallas needs to find a way to keep Phil Kessel and Evgeni Malkin off the board, and that wil start with good sustained offensive zone pressure. The Stars need to get a good game from the goaltender since the Penguins will get their chances and possibly a ton of them. Dallas needs to avoid turnovers and play some smart hockey because the Penguins will take advantage of those turnovers. The Stars needs to have a good third period and finish to the game.
The Penguins need to have a good start to the game and set the tone early to take the home crowd out of the game. Pittsburgh will need to stop the balanced lineup of the Stars by spending some time making them defend. The Pens need to have the lead entering the final period of the game since the Stars have zero regulation wins when trailing after two periods. The Penguins should win the special teams battle since they are top five in the League in bother the power play and penalty kill percentages. The Pens just need to play a solid, defensive road game and take some chances, if needed.
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