Stars excited to build on home ice advantage against Capitals

The Stars finished sixth in the NHL in home record last season at 27-10-4. It's a big reason why they made the playoffs.
While starting this season with 11 of the first 17 games on the road, Dallas wants to take advantage of the home games it has right now. The Stars will start a three-game homestand Thursday against Washington and being back at AAC is a good feeling.

"This has always been a tough place to play," new Stars coach Pete DeBoer said. "Home ice is important if a team has established that identity, and Dallas has that identity, so we want to continue to build on that."

Goalie Jake Oetinger likes the familiarity of the arena and sleeping in his own bed for the pre-game nap. Having the energy of the crowd is also pretty fun.
"We have great crowds here, and it's always fun," Oettinger said. "You've just got to dominate on home ice. It's tough to win on the road, so it makes it even more important that you take care of business here."

Dallas will be without defenseman Miro Heiskanen for the second consecutive game. Heiskanen suffered an upper body injury Monday at Ottawa and is listed as "day to day." DeBoer said Heiskanen could be back Saturday for a home game against the Rangers.
Veteran Joel Hanley stepped in and played well Tuesday at Boston, and DeBoer was impressed with the performance Tuesday.
"That's way tougher than it looks to sit that long and then jump in and play at a high level," DeBoer said.
Hanley had to adapt to a more aggressive system that challenges defensemen to make smart decisions with the puck, but he puts the work in to be ready.

"You just try to step into the system and try to play to your strengths," he said. "I think you just stay ready in practice, and you treat every practice like it's a game, and do your best in the gym and eating well, so when you get your chance, you're ready."
The Stars recalled Matej Blumel from the AHL on Wednesday, but he's expected to be a healthy scratch on Thursday. DeBoer believes Blumel will work his way into the lineup soon.
Key Numbers
Plus-16
Jamie Benn is plus-16 in 18 career games against the Capitals. He also has 16 points (7 goals, 9 assists) in that span.
28-7-5
The Stars are 28-7-5 against the Capitals since moving to Texas in 1993.
1.41
Stars goalie Jake Oettinger ranks second in the NHL in goals against average at 1.41. That's helped Dallas ranks second as a team at 2.14.
He said it
"It'll hurt, even when it hits you in a spot that has all the padding in the world. You can still feel it. It's one of a kind."
-Stars goalie Jake Oettinger on facing the shot of Washington's Alex Ovechkin, who is third all-time in NHL goal scoring with 783.
Expected lineup
Robertson-Hintz-Pavelski
Marchment-Seguin-Gurianov
Benn-Johnston-Dellandrea
Faksa-Glendening-Kiviranta
Lindell-Miller
Suter-Lundkvist
Hanley-Hakanpaa
Wedgewood
Oettinger
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club.
Mike Heikais a Senior Staff Writer for DallasStars.com and has covered the Stars since 1994. Follow him on Twitter @MikeHeika.