STARS AT BLUES GAME PREVIEW
One night after the horrifying scare with Rich Peverley that forced the postponement of last night's game in Dallas against Columbus 6:23 into the first period, the Stars (31-23-10) must get refocused for a road game against the powerhouse St. Louis Blues (44-14-6). Game time is 7 p.m. Central time. The game will be televised locally on Fox Sports Southwest Plus.
This is the third of five meetings between the Central Division teams this season. The Blues won the previous games by 6-1 and 3-2 (in overtime) scores.
Peverley is in stable condition in a Dallas hospital, where he is undergoing observation. The player, who has atrial fibrillation, collapsed on the bench during last night's game. The Stars are also without goaltender Kari Lehtonen (concussion). Tim Thomas will get the start in goal, backed up by Cristopher Nilstorp.
The Stars, who got off to a very poor start last night and were fortunate to be trailing just 1-0 at the time of Peverley's cardiac episode on the bench, are 10-3-2 over their last 15 games.
Ken Hitchcock's Blues are a double threat. They score a lot of goals, ranking second in the NHL with an average 3.17 per game. Meanwhile, they are stingy defensively, yielding just 2.22 (third best GAA in the League) per game. With goaltending standout Ryan Miller now in the fold after a pre-deadline trade from Buffalo and longtime Stars agitator Steve Ott also coming over to add grit, the Blues are a major threat to win the first Stanley Cup in frachise history.
The Blues are 11-3-1 over their last 15 games. In head-to-head games against the Stars, St. Louis has won each of the last four meetings dating back to last season.
On the St. Louis injury front, both Vladimir Sobotka (leg) and Jordan Leopold (ankle) are out of the lineup.
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STARS VS. BLUE JACKETS GAME POSTPONED IN FIRST PERIOD
The National Hockey League decided to postpone the remainder of Monday's Dallas Stars versus Columbus Blue Jackets game at the American Airlines Center in Dallas following the collapse of Stars' forward Rich Peverley on the bench at 6:23 of the first period.
Peverley, 31, is in stable condition at a Dallas hospital. The episode appears to be related the player's irregular heartbeat. Peverely was diagnosed with the arrhythmia before the season and missed all of training camp and the regular season opener. He played for several months with no apparent problems.
However, Peverley missed the Stars' game in Columbus last week for reasons related to his heart condition. For precautionary reasons after he was discovered to have an elevated heart rate, Peverley was held out for a couple days. He was subsequently cleared to return to the lineup. He would have played in the game in Columbus but was cleared too late to travel to Ohio in time for the game.
After Monday's game was delayed for about 15 minutes, the decision was made to call off the remainder of the game. Players on both sides were too distraught to continue. A continuation date for the game will be announced later. Columbus led the game, 1-0, at the time Peverely suffered the collapse on the bench.
Speaking on behalf of all of the writers and readers of HockeyBuzz, my thoughts and prayers go out to Peverley. From all early indications, he will be fine. However, his medical condition is one that will require continued vigilance.
Video from NHL.com