Stars ready to move forward, get job done after trade deadline

The NHL trade deadline has come and gone, Stars GM Jim Nill stood pat and said now it's up to the team to move forward and get the job done of making the playoffs. Stars coach Ken Hitchcock said that is fine with him.
"This is our team. We've earned the right to fight for a playoff spot. That's what we wanted," Hitchcock said. "We knew going in that the group we have right now has made great strides and we want to keep going."
The players were on board as well.

"Totally agree," said defenseman John Klingberg. "Jim has done a great job. Just look at our roster. We love what we have. Obviously, we have (Martin) Hanzal out, and that hurts us a little bit, but we've got really good prospects in (Jason) Dickinson and even (Denis) Gurianov and Roope Hintz and all those guys down there. We are happy with what we have, and it's up to us now for sure."
The Stars' first game after the deadline is against one of the team's in the thick of the playoff race. The Calgary Flames (32-22-9) come into tonight's game in ninth place in the Western Conference and just one point behind the Stars (35-23-4), who continue to hold onto the first wild-card spot. It's a big game for both teams. It's the biggest game of the year until the next game.

"I said to the players every game is like a single-elimination playoff game and then you've got to move on to the next day and get ready for the next opponent," Hitchcock said.
The Stars, who are coming off a 5-3 loss to Winnipeg and are 2-4-0 in their last six games, are expected to roll with the same group of forwards and defensemen as last game. The Stars held an optional skate this morning, so they did not run lines. Hitchcock tweaked his lines in Monday's practice, moving Antoine Roussel to a line with Jamie Benn and Alexander Radulov and putting Devin Shore in Roussel's spot on the line with Radek Faksa and Tyler Pitlick. It's not known if Hitchcock will roll that out in tonight's game.
Dickinson, called up from the AHL after the trade deadline passed Monday, won't play tonight but Hitchcock plans on getting the young forward in soon. Julius Honka will be the scratch on defense.
Ben Bishop will get the start in goal.
Tuesday is game two of a five-game homestand for the Stars.

Flames Watch

Forward Chris Stewart, whom the Flames claimed off waivers from Minnesota Monday, has joined the team and is expected to play tonight. Stewart skated on Calgary's top line this morning with Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan. Forward Nick Shore, acquired in a trade from Ottawa on Monday, has not joined the team yet. Jon Gillies will get the start in goal tonight for the Flames. Gillies is 2-0-0 with a 2.54 goals against average and .914 save percentage. Calgary's No. 1 goaltender, Mike Smith, remains out with a lower-body injury. Calgary is one point out of a playoff spot and just two points out of second place in the Pacific Division.

Tonight's Game

Who: Calgary Flames at Dallas Stars
Where:American Airlines Center
When:7:30 p.m.
TV:Fox Sports Southwest
Radio:The Ticket 1310 AM/96.7 FM

Stars Projected Lineup

Remi Elie - Tyler Seguin - Mattias Janmark
Devin Shore - Jamie Benn - Alexander Radulov
Antoine Roussel - Radek Faksa - Tyler Pitlick
Gemel Smith - Jason Spezza - Brett Ritchie
Esa Lindell - John Klingberg
Dan Hamhuis - Greg Pateryn
Marc Methot - Stephen Johns
Ben Bishop
Kari Lehtonen
Scratched:Julius Honka, Jason Dickinson
Injured:Martin Hanzal (lower body)

Flames Projected Lineup

Johnny Gaudreau - Sean Monahan - Chris Stewart
Matthew Tkachuk - Mikael Backlund - Michael Frolik
Sam Bennett - Mark Jankowski - Garnet Hathaway
Troy Brouwer - Matt Stajan - Curtis Lazar
Mark Giordano - Dougie Hamilton
Troy Brodie - Travis Hamonic
Brett Kulak - Michael Stone
Jon Gillies
David Rittich
Scratched:Tanner Glass, Matt Bartkowski, Nick Shore, Andrew Mangiapane
Injured:Michael Ferland (upper body), Kris Versteeg (hip), Marek Hrivik (undisclosed), Mike Smith (lower body)
This story was not subject to approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club.
Mark Stepneskiis 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.