The third match-up between the Dallas Stars and Nashville Predators marks the halfway point of the season for Dallas, currently sitting third in a competitive Central Division.
Dallas and Nashville battled only a short six days ago, and both teams are once again meeting in a battle of playoff teams.
In the last meeting, the Stars came back from a two goal deficit in the second period to tie the game 2-2, only to give up the lead once again.
Filip Forsberg scored twice in the third to restore Nashville's two goal lead, 4-2. Jason Robertson cut the lead in half with a late third period goal but ultimately, the Stars ran out of time to pull off another late game miracle against the Preds.
Since the 4-3 loss to Nashville, the Stars beat the Minnesota Wild twice, 4-0 and then 7-2.
The Predators have only played once since last Saturday's win over the Stars, losing at home to the Anaheim Ducks 5-3. The Ducks led 5-0 before Nashville scored three goals in the last 10 minutes of the third that put a little window dressing on the final score. Former Stars forward Denis Gurianov scored his first goal with Nashville in the final minute of the game.
What to watch for:
- Tyler Seguin is on a four game goal streak, including one against Nashville in the last match-up. In yesterday's press confrence, head coach Pete DeBoer commended Seguin's game and stated that he's playing with confidence and at an even higher level than he finished last season with.
- In Miro Heiskanen's absence, Nils Lundkvist has stepped up as the coaching staff has been forced to play him in a less sheltered environment. He has been trusted with more time on ice than previously given. In the last six games, Lundkvist has five points, including his first goal of the season that came from a 100MPH shot. .
- Jake Oettinger's possible return is his first start since December 15th when he suffered a groin injury against the Ottawa Senators. Before the injury, Oettinger was in a bit of a rough patch, going 1-3-0 in his last four starts. Since the 15th, the Stars are 8-3-2
Projected lines:
Robertson-Hintz-Pavelski
Marchment-Duchene-Seguin
Benn-Johnston-Dadonov
Steel-Faksa-Smith
Suter-Lundkvist
Lindell-Hakanpaa
Harley-Hanley
The goalie for tonight's game will be a game-time decision. Ty Dellandrea is a healthy scratch for the fifth game in a row.
Although we have only reached the halfway point through the season, the Central Division is a tight race. Both teams will be fighting hard for these two points. The Stars are chasing the Jets and the Avalanche at the top of the division, while Nashville is fourth in the Central and holds down the second Wild Card spot via a tiebreaker over the Kraken.
Puck drop is at 7 p.m. CST and can be seen on Bally Sports Southwest.
Make sure you bookmark THN's Dallas Stars site for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.
- Follow Taylor on Twitter: @THN_taylor