MINI-PREVIEW: STARS VS. KINGS
Looking to strengthen their hold on first place in the Central Division, Lindy Ruff's Dallas Stars (41-20-9) will host Sutter's Los Angeles Kings (41-22-5) on Tuesday night. Game time at the American Airlines Center is 7:30 p.m. CDT. The game will be televised on Fox Sports Southwest.
This is the second of three meetings between the teams this season, and the only game in Dallas. On Jan. 19, the Kings won the first meeting at the Staples Center, 3-2. The season series concludes in Los Angeles on April 2.
The Stars took three of four possible points from a crucial set of weekend back-to-back home games against the Chicago Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues. On Saturday, the Stars recovered from a two-goal deficit in the third period to earn a point but ultimately fell in overtime, 5-4. Overall, Dallas has earned points in five straight games (3-0-2), gaining eight of 10 possible points.
Jason Spezza brings a six-game goal scoring streak into this match. He has compiled 10 goals over his past 10 games. At team, the Stars have connected at a 10-for-33 percent clip on the power play over the last 10 games and have gone 31-for-34 on the penalty kill over the same span.
Veteran forward Patrick Sharp, who has been out for five games with a lower-body injury, practiced Monday. He is listed as questionable for Tuesday. However, defensemen John Klingberg (lower body), Jason Demers (shoulder, out for the rest of the season) and Jordie Benn (lower body), as well as forward Mattias Janmark (upper body) are out.
The Kings are playing the second game of a back-to-back road set. On Monday, LA skated to a 5-0 win over Chicago. Jonathan Quick earned a 32-save shutout. The Kings have gained seven of 10 possible points in their last five games and 17 of 22 possible points in the last 11.
On the LA injure front, forwards Marian Gaborik (knee) and Jordan Nolan (undisclosed) as well as defenseman Matt Greene (shoulder) are on the injured reserved list.