[8:39 PM] Ducks @ Stars

Who will WIN this matchup?

Anaheim Ducks (15-9-5)

@ Dallas Stars (11-13-6)

 

Starting Goalies:

John Gibson (ANA): Confirmed

Antti Niemi (DAL): Likely

 

• The Dallas Stars are spinning their wheels rather than contending for the Central Division lead as they start a five-game homestand Tuesday against the Anaheim Ducks. “This will be the season for us, I really feel. For me, I think all of the season is going to land on this homestand,” Dallas coach Lindy Ruff told reporters after a 3-1 setback at Chicago on Sunday dropped the Stars 12 points behind the first-place Blackhawks and gave them 10 losses in their last 15 games (5-7-3).

• Anaheim defeated Ottawa 5-1 on Sunday for its third straight victory, allowing three goals in its last two games after yielding 13 in the previous two contests. The Ducks are tied for first in the Pacific Division with Edmonton, one ahead of Calgary with San Jose (two back) and Los Angeles (five) also in the mix.

• Corey Perry (six goals, team-high 25 points along with Ryan Kesler) scored twice in the last three games after going 18 contests without a goal and Sunday’s tally was his first this season on the power play. Kesler (team-most 12 goals) owns a five-game point streak (four goals, three assists) and plays 21 minutes, 20 seconds per game – most among Anaheim forwards. Antoine Vermette is known more for being one of the best faceoff men in the NHL (65.3 percent), but like Perry recorded a goal and an assist Sunday and has six of each this season.

• Seguin shares the club lead in goals (with Patrick Eaves) at 10 and his 19 assists are a team high, but the 24-year-old forward’s minus-11 rating is cause for concern seeing as his career number is plus-59. Benn (eight goals, 24 points) sits at minus-7 this season and plus-19 for his career while Spezza (five goals, nine assists in 23 games) is a team-worst minus-15 after beginning the campaign plus-50. Defenseman Johnny Oduya, the oldest player on the team at age 35, returned Sunday after missing 10 games with a lower-body injury as did forward Jiri Hudler, who was out 20 games with a mysterious virus.

• Anaheim is 13-28-1 in its last 42 games in Dallas.

 

StreakSmarts Pick: Dallas Stars

Confidence: 4/10

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