How much is a win against a depleted Colorado Avalanche worth? Two points, just like all of them.
The Dallas Stars started November right with a rare victory in Pepsi Center. Now it’s time to see if they can finish the job against another team that has blown hot and cold this season and is currently on the wrong end of a streak.
Roope Hintz continues to be the hero the Stars need, scoring both goals in last night’s victory. Anton Khudobin kept the game in check with an astonishing 38 saves. Denis Gurianov kept making his case for more ice time, drawing a penalty and providing an assist during his 11:33 TOI. And once again, Miro Heiskanen was on the ice at the end of the game with the Stars protecting a lead.
The Stars need 12 points in the next 10 games to get back on last season’s pace. Tonight is an ideal time to put more of that work in.
Meanwhile, in Montréal…
The Montreal Canadiens sit in third place in a close and competitive Atlantic Division – their single additional victory gives them the tiebreaker over the surging Florida Panthers.
The Habs have played hot and cold so far this season. This week, they followed up a three-game winning streak (including a thumping 5-2 victory over divisional opponents the Toronto Maple Leafs) with back-to-back losses to the Minnesota Wild and San Jose Sharks.
Is it time for their pendulum to swing back? The Stars won’t be able to take anything for granted, especially with hot hands Max Domi, Tomas Tatar and Jonathan Drouin in the lineup.
DALLAS STARS LINEUP
With the game in Colorado last night, the Stars did not have a morning skate today, so any changes to the lineup won’t be known until Jim Montgomery addresses the media at 3:45 PM, about two hours or so before puck drop. Blake Comeau has been working his way back after taking that puck to the face and then injuring his lower body in the process on opening night, so it’s possible he draws back in tonight if he’s ready.
The Stars ran this lineup in the 2-1 win over the Colorado Avalanche last night:
Jamie Benn – Tyler Seguin – Alexander Radulov
Denis Gurianov – Roope Hintz – Joe Pavelski
Mattias Janmark – Jason Dickinson – Corey Perry
Andrew Cogliano – Radek Faksa – Nicholas Caamano
Esa Lindell – John Klingberg
Jamie Oleksiak – Miro Heiskanen
Joel Hanley – Taylor Fedun
With Antoin Khudobin starting last night, Ben Bishop will likely start tonight.
MONTREAL CANADIENS LINEUP
Tomas Tatar – Phillip Danault – Brendan Gallagher
Jonathan Drouin – Max Domi – Joel Armia
Artturi Lehkonen – Nick Suzuki – Paul Byron
Nick Cousins – Nate Thompson – Jordan Weal
Victor Mete – Shea Weber
Ben Chiarot – Jeff Petry
Mike Reilly – Cale Fleury
Carey Price is the expected starter.