The Dallas Stars head home for a quick two-game home stand for tonight's game against the Nashville Predators and Saturday against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The Stars are on a six game win-streak, including going undefeated on a four-game road trip. They are looking to keep the streak alive as they go into the eight remaining regular season games. This streak comes at the perfect time, as the Stars are trying to catch the Winnipeg Jets for first in the division. They currently sit four points back and the Stars have a game in hand, including a head to head match up against the Jets.
Dallas Stars defenseman Lian Bichsel (6) and center Sam Steel (18) and defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin (46) and center Wyatt Johnston (53) and left wing Jamie Benn (14) celebrate after Bichsel scores his first career NHL goal during the third period against the Nashville Predators at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn ImagesThe Predators, who have already been eliminated from playoff contention, are on a four-game loss streak. Nashville, who made some big moves during the off-season has been head-scratchingly bad this season considering the roster they have. Filip Forsberg leads the team in points with 68 points. Their Vezina caliber goalie, Juuse Saros, is sporting a goals-against average of 2.99 and a .895% save percentage.
What to watch for:
- Wyatt Johnston has goals in his last five games, which ties his previous career best. If he scores against the Predators, it will be a new career-high streak for the 21 year old. He also joins a short list of players to have back-to-back 30 goal seasons by age 21. Some of the players on that list are Alex Ovechkin, Sidney Crosby, and Connor McDavid. Johnston currently has 67 points.
- Matt Duchene has six points in six games as a Dallas Star against his former team. This is Duchene's second year with the Stars after the Predators bought out his contract unexpectedly.
- Mikael Granlund is on a four-game point streak against the Predators, tallying seven points during that time, including four goals and three assists. Granlund also has 26 points in 29 games against Nashville in his career. He has four points in his last three games.
There was no morning skate ahead of tonight's match up, so there was no update on any lineup changes.
These two teams close out the season series tonight with their third and final game. The Stars got their win on Nashville's home-opening night in October and then dropped one against Nashville in December.
Tonight's game will be aired on Victory+ or ESPN+ at 7pm CST.
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