Photo Credit: AP / Tony Gutierrez
The Dallas Stars return to home ice tonight for the first of two matchups against the Philadelphia Flyers this season. The Stars have a solid track record against the Flyers in recent history, winning the last six consecutive games against Philadelphia, and have outscored the Flyers 27-8 in that span.
The Stars concluded a short trip out West with a win in Anaheim on Thursday, rounding out the first few games of the season at 2-0-1. The Flyers are currently first in the Metropolitan division, at 3-1-0.
While the Stars were fighting the Ducks through all three periods Thursday night, the Flyers were making easy work of the Edmonton Oilers with a 4-1 victory. Joel Farabee, Sean Walker and Cam Atkinson were all responsible for Philadelphia’s success, with Atkinson scoring in both the second and third periods.
Much like the Ducks, the Flyers have struggled with staying out of the penalty box thus far this season, taking 21 penalties in four games, totaling 55 minutes. And while the Stars have had a slow start on the power play, going 0 for 6 in the first two games of the season, the team seemed to find momentum with the man advantage on Thursday, closing out the game against Anaheim with two power play goals on five opportunities.
The Stars defense, and presumably goalie Scott Wedgewood as he was first of the ice at today’s morning skate, will need to show up strong tonight, as Philadelphia has proven to be an offensive powerhouse early in the season, outshooting its opponents 132 to 113.
Philadelphia’s veteran defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen will likely be out of tonight’s lineup with an undisclosed injury that’s had him on the team’s injured reserve list since the beginning of the season.
In contrast, Dallas’ full roster was on the ice for today’s morning skate.
The night will also see goalie Eddie Belfour and former head coach Ken Hitchcock, both members of the Stars Stanley Cup winning team, honored as members of this year’s Dallas Stars Hall of Fame class.
The game begins at 7 p.m. CT and will be broadcast locally on Bally Sports Southwest and radio’s The Ticket.
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