The Dallas Stars are going to put their perfect home record on the line today.
Okay, so the team has only played one home game before today's 5 p.m. (ugh) home game against the Phoenix Coyotes kicks off a three-game homestand that also features the St. Louis Blues and Columbus Blue Jackets. All three are expected to be right around that eighth playoff berth this year, something that hasn't escaped the notice of the players or coaching staff.
"We definitely want to establish a winning attitude at home. And it’s against teams that definitely could be around that playoff picture at the end of the year," said defenseman Alex Goligoski. "It’s more about getting to our game. We really haven’t gotten there yet. We have to look at tape, see where we are and get on the same page here."
Stars coach Glen Gulutzan, who rearranged the team's practice schedule to skip today's morning skate but practice Sunday instead, said his team won't have the services of defensemen Nicklas Grossman or Adam Pardy until at least Thursday, but he is also focused on making the AAC a tough place to play again.
"You have to make hay when the sun shines, right? We’re at home here and that’s what we have to do,"
said Stars coach Glen Gulutzan. "That’s our thought process, be prepared for these next three games at home."
After the jump, speaking of this homestand, don't expect large crowds for the next few games, the Texas Stars get off to a dominant start and NHL hockey returns to Winnipeg.
- Attendance for this week's home stand is... not going to be good. In fact, atrocious might be the word, or maybe abysmal (especially with today's absurd 5 p.m. start). But Mike Heika wants to remind Stars fans, at least those who have access to the paywall, not to panic. [DallasNews.com]
- Razor evaluates the opening weekend as only he can. [Razor With An Edge]
- It was a really good day to be a Texas Stars player as nearly everyone picked up points in a season-opening 7-0 win in Austin. [Austin American-Statesman]
- And more on that game from our friends at 100 Degree Hockey. [100 Degree Hockey]
- Scouting the enemy, part the first: The Coyotes are coming off an even worse game than the Stars as they were throttled 6-3 by the San Jose Sharks on Saturday evening. As much as the Stars are looking to bounce back, so are the Coyotes, which makes them a dangerous opponent no matter how bad the first game's numbers looked. [Arizona Republic]
- Scouting the enemy, part the second: General catching up with the Yotes after their season-opening loss. [Five For Howling]
- Saturday night's Jake Dowell fight not enough for you? Check out this all-out line brawl from the KHL with some very amusing video. [Puck Daddy]
- NHL hockey made its return to Winnipeg last night as the Winnipeg Jets played their first home game since the 1990s, losing 5-1 to the spoil-sport Montreal Canadiens. [NHL.com]
- The Shanahammer struck again, this time dishing out a two-game suspension to Pierre-Marc Bouchard for a high-stick that removed several of teeth of Matt Calvert. The link comes complete with the now traditional video explanation. [NHL.com]