MINI-PREVIEW 10:15 AM CST

Looking to further solidify their playoff standing in the Western Conference, the Dallas Stars (34-26-5) face a crucial test tonight as they take on the Calgary Flames (29-25-11) in the second segment of the Stars' current three-game road trip through western Canada. The game starts at 5 PM CST and will be broadcast locally on Fox Sports Southwest.

This is the second of four meetings between the clubs this season, and the first of two this month in Calgary. On Feb.16, the Stars captured a 3-2 win in overtime at the American Airlines Center. Mike Ribeiro scored the game winner.

Dallas enters this game with a tenuous (one point) hold on the eighth and final playoff seed in the Western Conference but is just two points behind Pacific Division leading Phoenix for the potential third seed. The Stars are 6-2-2 in their last 10 games, including a nice 5-0-1 run in their last six games.

With the lineup now mostly healthy, the goals have started to come again, as Dallas has scored three or more goals in each game of their current point streak. Meanwhile, Kari Lehtonen (as well as backup Richard Bachman in his start against Chicago) has provided outstanding goaltending over the early portion of the stretch run.

The Flames, who enter tonight's game four points behind the Stars, have experienced a lot of frustration lately, with too many blown leads and missed opportunities dotting their current 4-3-3 stretch over the last 10 games. Curtis Glencross has been Calgary's hottest offensive performer of late with goals in three straight games.

On the injury front, team captain Brenden Morrow (neck/shoulders/upper back) and Jake Dowell (broken finger) remain on injured reserve. Chris Butler (lacerated leg) and forwards Lee Stempniak (high ankle sprain), Blair Jones (ankle) and Mikael Backlund (arm) are all out of the lineup for Calgary.

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