Pregame Notes (Game 37): Stars Look to Capitalize Against Division Rival Colorado Avalanche

After coming up short in a 4-3 loss to the Montreal Canadiens, the Dallas Stars look to recoup points in the standings against the Colorado Avalanche in a very tight Central Division race.

With the last two games of this home stand against divisional opponents, the next games against the Colorado Avalanche and the Nashville Predators are crucial for the Stars. Colorado currently sits in first place with 51 points, while Dallas dropped to third place with 48 points.

A common theme between the two teams is how many games they've come back to win. The Avalanche just got their 11th comeback win against the New York Islanders Tuesday, while the Stars have already notched 13 and fell just short on their 14th against the Canadiens. 

However, this tactic will not bode well for the Stars, as the Avalanche are 14-1-1 when leading after two periods. Dallas will have to start the scoring early, which is something they have not done well so far this year. The Stars are getting outscored 41-36 in the first period nearly midway through the season.

With Jake Oettinger still out, Scott Wedgewood will be making his ninth start in a row. During that time he is 6-2-1. Although Stars coach Pete DeBoer stated that Oettinger has moved from "week to week" to "day to day," it is still Wedgewood's net for the near future.

After two healthy scratches in a row, Radek Faksa is back in the lineup for Ty Dellandrea, Both players are physical, defense first forwards that are great on the penalty kill, making this a seamless switch.

Nils Lundkvist, who has had trouble keeping his spot in the lineup, will sit while Joel Hanley slots in despite Lundkvist having three points in his last three games. 

With the removal of a puck moving defenseman, the responsibility shifts squarely on the shoulders of Thomas Harley and Miro Heiskanen. Expect to see those two double shifting with multiple defensive pairings.

Stars projected lines:

Robertson-Hintz-Pavelski                                                                                        Marchment-Duchene-Seguin                                                                                              Benn-Johnston-Dadonov                                                                                                      Steel-Faksa-Smith                                                               

Suter-Heiskanen                                                                                                              Lindell-Hakanpaa                                                                                                            Harley-Hanley

Wedgewood                                                                                                                  Murray

Puck drop is at 7 p.m. CST and can be seen on Bally Sports Southwest or NHL Network.

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