Injuries be damned. That seems to be the attitude of the Dallas Stars lately. An injury happens and next man up is the mantra.
This team is on a good run right now because of this, too. Since the injury to Miro Heiskanen, the Stars have won seven of their ten games. The team has scored at least four goals in their last six games. Dallas has nine different players with double-digit goals this season (one of those is Mikael Granlund). Logan Stankoven just needs one goal to join this group as well.
The question is can the Stars continue this crazy pace. Since New Years Day, the Stars have accumulated the most points in the NHL at 33. Winnipeg, Detroit, Washington and Tampa Bay are close behind with 32. During that time, Dallas is 16–6–1 and have a +23 in the goal differential column.
Tonight’s opponent, the St. Louis Blues is going in the opposite direction. During that same stretch, they’re 10–9–2 with only 22 points. Only the Sabres and Flames are worse with 21 points. Their goal differential is only a +2. With all that being said, though, the Blues are still only one point behind the Vancouver Canucks for the final Wild Card spot.
This is the third meeting between these two teams. Dallas won the previous two (2–1 on December 14th and 2–0 on January 25th).
How to watch: Puck drop is scheduled for 5:00 PM CT. The game will be broadcast on TNT.
Dallas Stars Projected Lineup
Jason Robertson (21) – Roope Hintz (24) – Logan Stankoven (11)
Mason Marchment (27) – Matt Duchene (95) – Mikael Granlund (64)
Jamie Benn (14) – Wyatt Johnston (53) – Evgeni Dadonov (63)
Oskar Back (10) – Sam Steel (18) – Mavrik Bourque (22)
Thomas Harley (55) – Ilya Lyubushkin (46)
Esa Lindell (23) – Cody Ceci (44)
Brendan Smith (2) – Matt Dumba (3)
Jake Oettinger (29)
Casey DeSmith (1)
St. Louis Blues Projected Lineup
Jake Neighbors (63) – Robert Thomas (18) – Pavel Buchnevich (89)
Dylan Holloway (81) – Brayden Schenn (10) – Jordan Kyrou (25)
Matthieu Joseph (71) – Oskar Sundqvist (70) – Zack Bolduc (76)
Alexy Toropchnko (13) – Radek Faksa (12) – Nathan Walker (26)
Cam Fowler (17) – Colton Parayko (55)
Philip Broberg (6) – Justin Faulk (72)
Ryan Suter (22) – Nick Leddy (4)
Joel Hofer (30)
Jordan Bennington (50)
Players to watch:
Jason Robertson: Since New Years Day, Jason Robertson is third in the NHL with 16 goals. He also has 15 assists during that time. He also has five power play goals and five power play assists during that time.
Blues Defense: Both of these teams are coming off wins against the LA Kings. Difference is the Blues played them last night in St. Louis while the Stars played them Friday at home. Will be interesting to see if a tired Blues team can tame the Stars offense.