Two hot teams face off in a big Western Conference game Wednesday night at American Airlines Center.
The Dallas Stars and Edmonton Oilers are both on a roll as they meet for the third and final time this season Wednesday night in Dallas.
Each team has split the previous two meetings by identical 4-3 scores. Dallas took the first game at Rogers Place in Edmonton November 2, 2023, when Roope Hintz scored twice on feeds from Joe Pavelski, including the game-winner. The Oilers got revenge in their visit to Dallas February 17 on Evan Bouchard's power play goal 30 seconds into overtime.
Dallas (47-19-9, 103 points) is on top in both the Western Conference and Central Division standings. They're also just one point behind the New York Rangers in the race for the President's Trophy. A win over the Oilers would set a new franchise record with eight consecutive wins.
Edmonton (45-23-5, 95 points) is second in the Pacific Division, five points behind the Vancouver Canucks. They come into Wednesday's game riding a four-game points streak (3-0-1) and have a 6-2-2 record over their last 10 games.
The Oilers' Connor McDavid is coming off a hot month of March with seven goals and 24 assists. He was named the NHL's First Star of the Month and became the first player to record 31 points in the month of March since Jaromir Jagr of the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2000-01.
Wyatt Johnston is on a similar roll for the Stars, leading the team with 10 goals in 13 games during the month of March. He tallied his 100th career point in last Saturday's 3-0 win over the Seattle Kraken, and leads the Stars with 29 goals on the season.
Each team has benefited from great defense and goaltending recently. During their seven-game winning streak, the Stars have allowed just 1.57 goals per game. Over his last five games, Jake Oettinger is 5-0-0 with a .942 save percentage. He recorded his 30th win and second shutout of the season in Seattle last Saturday. In five career games against the Oilers, Oettinger is 2-2-1 with a 3.21 goals-against average and .880 save percentage.
Stuart Skinner hasn't suffered from a sophomore slump. He has 33 wins this season, tying him for fourth-best among Oilers goalies, and has two shutouts.
As a rookie last season, he was named to the NHL All-Star Game, the NHL All-Rookie Team and and was a finalist for the Calder Trophy.
Skinner is 0-1-0 versus Dallas this season with a 4.15 goals-against average and .852 save percentage. Over his career, he is 2-2-0, 3.03 and .894.
Both offenses are also in high gear. Dallas is third in the NHL with 3.64 goals per game, while the Oilers are fourth at 3.59. Wednesday's game could either see an offensive slugfest or defensive struggle.
Things to Watch for:
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Projected Lines:
Robertson-Hintz-Pavelski
Marchment-Duchene-Seguin
Benn-Johnston-Stankoven
Steel-Faksa-Smith
Harley-Heiskanen
Lindell-Tanev
Suter-Lundkvist
Oettinger
Wedgewood
Stars coach Pete DeBoer announced at Wednesday's optional practice that defenseman Chris Tanev will be in the lineup against the Oilers. Tanev injured his right arm last Saturday in Seattle after being hit by AdamLarsson.
Defenseman Jani Hakanpaa skated on Wednesday and is close to returning to action following a lower-body injury. Evgenii Dadonov, who has been out since February 10 with a lower-body fracture, is also skating but is not expected to return until the playoffs.
Puck drop for Wednesday night's game is at 8:30 Pm CT and the game will be televised on TNT.
Make sure you bookmark THN's Dallas Stars site for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.
DeBoer Noncommittal On Tanev's Return
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