DALLAS --The finale of a three-game homestand comes your way on Saturday afternoon as the Stars host the New Jersey Devils at American Airlines Center. This is the first half of a back-to-back that concludes Sunday in Chicago, and the third of six home contests in a span of seven games.
The Stars are coming off a 4-3 overtime loss Thursday against Toronto, a game that saw Dallas erase three separate one-goal deficits and Scott Wedgewood make 37 saves. By earning a point, the Stars moved to two points ahead of Vegas for the second wild card and two points behind Nashville for the first wild card.
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This set of back-to-backs comes against teams far outside the playoff race, so the Stars must find a way to come away with wins. Following games against the Devils are Blackhawks are dates with Tampa Bay and Minnesota (both at home) next week.
Dallas took the opener of the two-game season series with New Jersey by a 5-1 score on Jan. 25 at Prudential Center. Joe Pavelski led the Stars with a four-point performance (two goals, two assists), while Roope Hintz, Jacob Peterson and Jani Hakanpää added goals. Braden Holtby (currently injured) stopped 36 of 37 shots in the win.
The Stars have won four in a row against New Jersey and have victories in five of the past six games (5-1-0) against them. They've earned points in 12 of the past 14 matchups (9-2-3) and are riding an eight-game home winning streak over the Devils. Furthermore, the Stars have gone 10-1-2 in their past 13 home games against New Jersey.
The Devils will be without Jack Hughes for the remainder of the season after the 20-year-old suffered an MCL sprain to his left knee on April 3 vs. the Islanders. Also injured (and not on their five-game, 12-day road trip) are forwards Miles Wood and Jimmy Vesey, and defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler. New Jersey has lost five in a row and eight of 10 (2-7-1).
Great seats are still available for today's game against the New Jersey Devils! Get your tickets now!
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club.
Kyle Shohara is the Digital Manager for DallasStars.com and writes about the Stars/NHL. Follow him on Twitter @kyleshohara.
