After splitting two blowouts against the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Dallas Stars return to a more normal setup against the Florida Panthers.
Sunrise always seems to be a tough place to play for the Stars. The Panthers play a tight defensive game, with all three pairs showing some solid NHL qualities. Dmitry Kulikov, as the sixth defender, still gets close to 18 minutes of ice time per game.
On offense, the Panthers offer top line talent throughout its top six. The fourth line is a bit of an afterthought, but the third line can shut things down.
Dallas Stars Lineup
Jamie Benn (14) – Roope Hintz (24) – Joe Pavelski (16)
Jason Robertson (21) – Wyatt Johnston (53) – Evgenii Dadonov (63)
Mason Marchment (27) – Matt Duchene (95) – Tyler Seguin (91)
Craig Smith (15) – Radek Faksa (12) – Sam Steel (18)
Ryan Suter (20) – Miro Heiskanen (4)
Esa Lindell (23) – Jani Hakanpää (2)
Thomas Harley (55) – Joel Hanley (44)
Jake Oettinger (29)
Scott Wedgewood (41)
Dadonov draws back in, after Ty Dellandrea’s tough game Saturday. Lundkvist is still in the doghouse, it would seem.
Jake Oettinger gets the net, likely setting up Wedgewood for the start tomorrow against the Washington Capitals.
Florida Panthers Lineup
Evan Rodrigues (17) – Alexsander Barkov (16) – Sam Reinhart (13)
Carter Verhaeghe (23) – Sam Bennett (9) – Matthew Tkachuk (19)
Eetu Luostarinen (27) – Anton Lundell (15) – Nick Cousins (21)
Jonah Gadjovich (12) – Kevin Stenlund (82) – Ryan Lomberg (94)
Gustav Forsling (42) – Aaron Ekblad (5)
Miko Mikkola (77) – Brandon Montour (62)
Oliver Ekman-Larsson (91) – Dmitry Kulikov (7)
Sergei Bobrovsky (72)
Anthony Stolarz (41)
The Panthers are injury free. Gadjovich draws in for his seventh game, replacing Steven Lorentz on the bottom line.
OEL leads the defense with six goals – a bit of an offensive resurgence for the puck moving defender.
Bobrovsky has been a true 1A, playing 75% of the Panthers games. Stolarz has taken over the backup role from Spencer Knight, who has his $4.5 million salary buried in Charlotte.
Keys to the Game
Marchment. A fully functional Mason Marchment returns to the scene of his best hockey season (to date). Always good to show your ex that you’re thriving in your new digs.
Trash Talk. Benn/Tkachuk. A match made in heaven. There will be some additional spice to the game, and the Stars need to stick to the gameplan.
Bob. Bobrovsky is 16-2-2 all time against the Stars. Following up on a shutout against, the Stars need to get their scoring mojo back – against a netminder who knows how to beat them.