Preview: Stars look to even season series with Ducks

Anaheim Ducks at Dallas Stars

About the Stars

The Stars (37-24-6) lost 2-0 at Nashville on Tuesday. Nashville's Ryan Hartman snapped a scoreless tie at 5:33 of the third period and Nick Bonino sealed the win with an empty-net goal as the Predators won their ninth straight game and snapped the Stars' point streak at four games. Stars goaltender Kari Lehtonen was superb in net, stopping 32 of 33 shots.
"Kari played a great game tonight. He kept us in it and gave us a chance to try and win the game," said Stars defenseman Dan Hamhuis. "They played really well and made it hard on us. In the end, we could have been better. It's disappointing not to get the win."
The Stars fell to 4-5-2 in their last 11 games.
C Radek Faksa (foot) and D Esa Lindell (illness), who both have missed the last two games, practiced Thursday. If they are feeling fine Friday morning, they will play against the Ducks.
G Ben Bishop (knee) is out. He could start skating next week. C Martin Hanzal (back) is out long-term, and an update on his status is expected Friday.
Lehtonen will get the Stars Friday against Anaheim.
The Stars play Friday at home and then play their next six games on the road.
Injuries:C Radek Faksa (foot) and Esa Lindell (illness) are probable. G Ben Bishop (knee) and C Martin Hanzal (back) are out.

About the Ducks

The Ducks (34-22-12) lost 4-2 at Nashville on Thursday. The Ducks were down 3-0 after two periods but made it interesting by cutting the lead to 3-2 in the third before the Predators scored on an odd-man rush late in the game to seal the victory. Nashville won its 10th straight, while the Ducks had a three-game winning streak end.
"We played good at the end of the game," Ducks forward Rickard Rakell told media after the game. "We kept coming at them. We know we can be a good team if we play like that for 60 minutes."
The Ducks lost in regulation for just the second time in the last 10 games (7-2-1).
John Gibson got the start in goal Thursday for Anaheim so Ryan Miller, who tossed a 41-save shutout against Dallas on Feb. 21, could get the start on Friday.
Friday's game concludes a two-game road trip for Anaheim.
Injuries:F Patrick Eaves (illness) is out.

Season Series

Statistical Tidbits

This story was not subject to approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club.
Mark Stepneski is an independent writer whose posts on DallasStars.com reflect his own opinions and do not represent official statements from the Dallas Stars. You can follow him on Twitter @StarsInsideEdge.