(Andrew Nelles/The Tennesean)
Dallas will need its defensemen to emerge without defenseman Miro Heiskanen against a team chasing them in the Central Division.
The Dallas Stars (22-10-5) host the Nashville Predators (21-17-1) at American Airlines Center. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT. Tonight is the second meeting of the season between Dallas and Nashville.
Two nights ago in Dallas’ 5-4 overtime loss against the Colorado Avalanche, Heiskanen left the game after crashing into Dallas goaltender Scott Wedgewood. It was announced a that Heiskanen is now dealing with a lower-body injury. Stars head coach Pete DeBoer labeled him “week-to-week,” but surgery will not be needed.
With Heiskanen out for some time, more pressure will have to be put on 22-year-old Thomas Harley going forward. Harley is second in points among Stars defensemen with 17 points (9G, 8A) this season; Harley is tied for first with a +10 rating among Stars defensemen with Esa Lindell.
Tonight is a tough test to see how Dallas can play without its best defenseman in the lineup. Nashville is six points behind the Stars in the Central Division. Filip Forsberg leads the Predators in points (19G, 24A) this season. Ryan O’Reilly has 15 goals and Colton Sissons has 12 goals this season.
(Christopher Hanewinckel/USA TODAY Sports)
Now losing two straight games, the Stars have dropped to third place in the Central Division and wouldn’t have home ice advantage in round one of the Stanley Cup Playoffs if the season ended today. Dallas is five points behind the Winnipeg Jets for the division lead and four points behind Colorado.
On Dec. 23, 2023, Dallas won the first game against the Predators 3-2 in Nashville with an improbable comeback. The Stars scored two goals in the final 13 seconds of regulation. Tonight is the second of four matchups this season.
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