Preview: Playing a complete game is key for Detroit on Tuesday at Dallas

DETROIT -- Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin wasn't afraid to look in the mirror after Detroit's 5-3 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday.
"We just didn't play," Larkin said after the game. "We didn't put them away. We didn't continue to play our game that made us successful in the first half of the game."
Indeed, the Red Wings (8-7-2) started strong against the Blue Jackets. Courtesy of physical play and key saves from goaltender Thomas Greiss, Detroit commanded a 2-0 lead more than halfway through the second period.

But then things started to spiral. Columbus scored two goals within two minutes in the second period and three goals within four minutes in the third period to cap off its rally against Detroit.
"When we got the lead, we didn't keep our foot on the gas and keep playing or making it hard on them," Larkin said. "Teams are too good, and the league is too tight to play half a game. You got to play a full 60 minutes."

So, playing a complete game figures to be a point of focus for the Red Wings as they square off against the Dallas Stars for an 8:30 p.m. ET/ 7:30 p.m. CT puck drop at American Airlines Center on Tuesday (
ESPN+ and Hulu
, Red Wings Radio Network).
Dallas enters the matchup with a 5-6-2 record under coach Rick Bowness this season. Overall, the Stars rank third overall in power play percentage (29.4%). That's a dangerous statistic for opposing defensemen. Yet, prior to the team's 5-2 win over the Philadelphia Flyers last Saturday, Dallas averaged just 2.17 goals per contest and had yet to score more than three times in regulation.
Miro Heiskanen is the only member of the Stars with double-digit points (12) and has tallied three goals and nine assists. Tyler Seguin (5 goals and 3 assists), Joe Pavelski (4 goals and 4 assists) and Ryan Suter (1 goal and 6 assist) have also been key contributors.
Braden Holtby is off to a strong start in goal, with a save percentage of .918 in 474 minutes of action. Alongside Holtby, Anton Khudobin has made five starts and owns 91 saves across his last three games.
Preventing another Dallas scoring outburst will be important for Detroit, as Larkin noted the importance of playing a complete game in front of Thomas Greiss and Alex Nedeljkovic.
"Our goaltending's been there every night," Larkin said. "We rely on them big-time, but we got to make it easier. We got to find ways when they're swarming us to get pucks out, find a way to get an offensive-zone shift to give them a breather."

Veleno returns, Stephens to miss time

This season, Mitchell Stephens was playing a key role up the middle for the Red Wings, having appeared in 16 games with four assists. But on Saturday, Stephens was hurt against the Montreal Canadiens after he slammed into the end boards, then exited the ice without the ability to put much weight on his left leg.
To fill his spot, the Red Wings announced Monday that Stephens was headed to injured reserve and would recall Joe Veleno from the Grand Rapids Griffins.
Veleno already has one stint with the Red Wings under his belt this season. The former first-round draft pick appeared in four games and recorded one goal and one assist. With Stephens out, Veleno finds himself with another opportunity to contribute.
"He's a guy who can come in and play those types of third- and fourth-line role-type minutes because I think he's accountable defensively," Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill said of the 21-year-old. "He knows how to manage the game, knows how to manage risk and when he's done that, he's been really good."