The Dallas Stars, temporarily fixing their slow start issues, have traded that problem for a perhaps more troubling failure to finish. Perhaps the issue is simply on putting together complete 60 minute games.
Throw in an inability to win against the NHL’s top teams, and there are concerns. With a 11-4-1 record, Dallas is off to a great start by any measure, but expectations are high and there are always details that aren’t perfect.
So the Colorado Avalanche turned a 3-0 deficit into a 6-3 loss. It’s one game, and it’s in the past. Time to focus on the New York Rangers – leaders of the Metropolitan Division with a lofty 12-2-1 record, that includes 9-0-1 over the last ten games. Like Saturday, tonight is a “big game” between teams that are in the middle of this years Stanley Cup conversation.
Dallas Stars Lineup
Jason Robertson (21) – Roope Hintz (24) – Joe Pavelski (16)
Jamie Benn (14) – Wyatt Johnston (53) – Evgenii Dadonov (63)
Mason Marchment (27) – Matt Duchene (95) – Tyler Seguin (91)
Craig Smith (15) – Radek Faksa (12) – Ty Dellandrea (10)
Ryan Suter (20) – Miro Heiskanen (4)
Esa Lindell (23) – Jani Hakanpää (2)
Joel Hanley (44) – Nils Lundkvist (5)
Scott Wedgewood (41)
Jake Oettinger (29)
Pretty standard, with Thomas Harley out.
Scott Wedgewood gets the net. Last year, the Rangers game in Dallas was the contest that put Jake Oettinger out, with Wedgewood taking over for the last half, taking the loss along the way.
New York Rangers Lineup
Chris Kreider (20) – Mika Zibanejad (93) – Blake Wheeler (17)
Artemi Panarin (10) – Vincent Trocheck (16) – Alexis Lafreniere (13)
Will Cuylle (50) – Nick Bonino (12) – Kaapo Kakko (24)
Jimmy Vesey (26) – Barclay Goodrow (21) – Tyler Pitlick (71)
K’Andre Miller (79) – Jacob Trouba (8)
Erik Gustafsson (56) – Ryan Lindgren (55)
Zachary Jones (6) – Braden Schneider (4)
Igor Shesterkin (31)
Jonathan Quick (32)
Adam Fox is on Long-Term Injured Reserve. He’s back skating with the team, but in a no contact jersey for the timebeing. Rangers forward Filip Chytil is also out, not on LTIR, but there isn’t a return date.
Meantime, the Rangers haven’t missed a beat. Expect New York to roll lines and not overload any defensive pairs. In net, Quick is having a career renaissance, but its Shesterkin in net.
Keys to the Game
Wedgewall. The Stars backup in net is getting the call and a serious vote of confidence. Wedgewood is off to a solid start for the season, but this game should be a big test.
60 Minutes. Refining the “slow start” issue. This is the underlying issue in any event.
Top Line. The emergence of the Duchene line has papered over the issue with the top line. Shot share, goal share are all average – Robertson, Hintz and Pavelski have been relying on the power play for their offensive impact. The top line needs to return to their even strength form of last year if the Stars are going to be one of the leagues top teams.