Looking to build on some positives taken from last game despite an overtime loss, Lindy Ruff's Dallas Stars (3-4-2) return to action on Thursday night to play host to Ken Hitchcock's St. Louis Blues (5-3-2). Game time at the American Airlines Center is 7:30 p.m. CT. The game will be televised locally on Fox Sports Southwest.
This is the first of four meetings between the teams this season. Last year, the Stars went just 1-1-3 in five games against the Blues.
Dallas enters this game coming off a 3-2 overtime road loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday. While the conclusion was disappointing -- Columbus forced OT on a power play tally with just 15.1 seconds remaining in regulation and then ended the game 46 seconds into the extra frame -- the Stars played well overall. Dallas outpossessed and outchanced Columbus, generating a 38-28 shot on goal edge and a 73-55 shot attempt advantage.
Unfortunately for the Stars, who are 1-3-2 in the last six games, the team's recent scoring woes continued. Dallas has tallied a combined six goals over the last five games. However, at least the process was better in the Columbus game, which is often a baby step toward breaking out of a funk.
On the injury front, Dallas forwards Patrick Sharp (concussion), Cody Eakin (knee), Mattias Janmark (knee) and Ales Hemsky (hip) all remain on the injured reserve list.
The Blues have been in pretty much the same boat as the Stars over the last few games. St. Louis has won just once in its last four games (1-2-1) and have either been shut out or held to a single goal in every game. On Tuesday, the Blues got silenced, 5-0, by the host New York Rangers.
On the Blues' injury front, defenseman Roberto Bortuzzo (lower body) was placed on IR on Wednesday.