The Dallas Stars play two games this weekend, both of them on the early side of the day. First up, the Winnipeg Jets.
Look at the standings. This is a game for first place in the Central. These Jets are sneaking up on the Stars, and its due to an offensive barrage.
Dallas has been taking care of their business against teams likely to miss the playoffs. Against playoff teams, its been a slog. At this point, you have to consider the Jets as a playoff team, one that can score throughout the lineup. And they have a handful of traditional Stars killers getting significant ice time.
The Stars have yet to lead a game after the first period. The team has survived by rolling in the second.
This game starts a set of four against the Central, culminating with a showdown in Dallas next Saturday against the Colorado Avalanche. Now is the time to start playing 60 minute games.
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) – Sam Steel (18)
Ryan Suter (20) – Miro Heiskanen (4)
Thomas Harley (55) – Nils Lundkvist (5)
Esa Lindell (23) – Jani Hakanpää (2)
Jake Oettinger (29)
Scott Wedgewood (41)
Its an early afternoon game, so the line information is based on the Columbus Blue Jackets game. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Ty Dellandrea draw in, probably for Steel, especially after a noticeable outing his last time out.
With Faksa’s assist against Columbus, all skaters except for Jani Hakanpää have scored this season (lets give Joel Hanley a pass here, since he has played less than 10 minutes on the year).
Wedgewood and Oettinger will likely split net duties over the weekend.
Winnipeg Jets Lineup
Kyle Connor (81) – Mark Scheifele (55) – Alex Iafallo (9)
Cole Perfetti (91) – Vladislav Namestnikov (7) – Nikolaj Ehlers (27)
Nino Niederreiter (62) – Adam Lowry (17) – Mason Appleton (22)
Morgan Barron (36) – David Gustafsson (19) – Rasmus Kupari (15)
Joshua Morrissey (44) – Dylan DeMelo (2)
Brenden Dillon (5) – Neal Pionk (4)
Dylan Samberg (54) – Nate Schmidt (88)
Connor Hellebuyck (37)
Laurent Brossoit (39)
The Jets are on a three game heater, putting up at least five goals in each game – all of them against Central Division opponents. That stretch includes two hat tricks, one of them by Kyle Connon, who has five goals in the team’s last two games.
Gabriel Vilardi is the only injury of note. A knee injury took him out in game three, and he has just resumed skating. Unlike many Rick Bowness teams, this group rolls three lines and three defensive pairs. Morrissey is playing more than 24 minutes per game, but otherwise, no player is being over taxed.
Hellebuyck is getting 3/4 of the starts, and Brossoit started their last game, so the Stars get the #1. To date, Hellebuyck’s numbers are a non-Hallebuyck 2.98 GAA, .892 save percentage. He’s still 6-3, so he’s getting his wins.
Keys to the Game
Benn – Johnston – Dadonov. The team has been winning, so the Stars second lines underwhelming performance has slid under the radar. If the team is looking for a Ty Dellandrea role, throwing him in with Benn and Johnston may be a good idea.
Early Game, Early Start. It was a key last game, and its moving up in priority. This one is here until it gets fixed. “Somnambulism” is not a word that needs to be part of hockey game previews.
Shut Down the Jets Offense. Noted offensive tactician, Rick Bowness, has this team clicking. Stars need to be able to handle the dump and chase.