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Okay, so 0-2 isn't how we all obviously wanted to start the season off, but hey, it's something to build off of as the Dallas Stars take on the Detroit Red Wings tonight at American Airlines Center.
The Detroit Red Wings come into tonight's game with an opposite record of the Stars at 2-0, and they are looking to continue their hot streak against Dallas tonight. But with the fire power the Stars have been showing and with Ben Bishop back in net after taking a puck to the kisser in the season opener, that could be tough. Plus, when you take into account how frustrated this Stars team has been the past two games with quote-unquote great goalie play in the opposition's net, you can expect some of that frustration to unfold tonight...and maybe we'll see more than just one goal find the back of the net.
Do expect changes with some of the lines tonight not because of play but mainly because of injury, as Dan Hamhuis is out with a groin injury and Julius Honka(!) expects to make his season debut against Detroit.
Honka also on the second PP unit. Looks like he is in tonight. https://t.co/IGvbVCQlgV
— Sean Shapiro (@seanshapiro) October 10, 2017
Dan Hamhuis (groin) won't play tonight. Looks like Gemel Smith and Greg Pateryn are the healthy scratches.
— Mark Stepneski (@StarsInsideEdge) October 10, 2017
Hitch says Honka in
— Mark Stepneski (@StarsInsideEdge) October 10, 2017
Hitch says both Honka and Elie are in the lineup tonight, look for Bishop in net. Let's get this W. #GoStars
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) October 10, 2017
Honka has the skill and Elie has the grit. Both will be a welcome addition to the lineup against the Red Wings tonight. pic.twitter.com/D8v6Sz1Ycj
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) October 10, 2017
Here are the likely forward lines according to Mark Stepneski:
Stars expected lines tonight:
Benn-Seguin-Radulov
Janmark-Hanzal-Shore
Elie-Spezza-Ritchie
Roussel-Faksa-Pitlick
Something that may catch your eye here is the name Remi Elie. Elie has been called up from the Texas Stars to take the departed Adam Cracknell's spot. Elie has shown himself to be a force so far this season with Texas. He will provide the third line with speed and grit tonight, which Hitchcock said is going to be much needed.
The Dallas Stars have recalled LW Remi Elie from the Texas Stars. https://t.co/jZUxhHBYRj
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) October 10, 2017
Stars expected defense pairs:
Lindell-Klingberg
Methot-Johns
Oleksiak-Honka
With Dan Hamhuis out, this gives Julius Honka the moment he's been waiting for and an opportunity that he must seize. Honka showed glimpses of what he can do last year when he was called up to play 16 games for Dallas where he produced five points. Honka has the ability to raise the bar on the defensive side and can provide an improved back end, which is an improvement the Stars need almost as much as an improvement to their 1.5 goals per game offense.
With two young guys looking to make the most out of tonight, I'd expect a fun game from the Stars and, hopefully just hopefully, a one to replace that zero in the win column.
Puck drops 7:30pm CDT.