The Stars have played nine of the past 11 games at home and have gone 9-2-0 in that span. They've won their past eight games at home and have turned around the season in doing so.
However, they're 4-5-1 on the road this season and see this three-game trip as a real test.
One of the biggest challenges will be the fact the opposition will get the last change and will be able to match up against the Stars' top line of Roope Hintz with Joe Pavelski and Jason Robertson. That trio has accounted for 20 goals in the past 10 games with Hintz tallying 10 goals and three assists, Robertson with six goals and seven assists, and Pavelski contributing with four goals and nine assists.
So that line clearly will get the attention defensively.
When that happens, the best counter for the Stars is to have another line ready to take advantage. That line could be one that has developed in the past week or so. Jamie Benn had embraced a move to center this season, but getting the right chemistry has been a process.
Benn was with Michael Raffl and Denis Gurianov for long stretches, but more recently was joined by Alexander Radulov and Jacob Peterson. That line was fantastic last game and were the driving force in a three-goal third period that fueled the Stars to a 4-1 win over Arizona. Benn finished with two goals and an assist, Radulov with two assists and Peterson with a goal.
It was a great sign of what the trio can do.
"They were good," said Stars head coach Rick Bowness. "They created good chances carrying the puck in. We had talked about getting more balanced scoring and hopefully it's a good start for that line to give us more of that. It helps when we're going on the road now. When there's one line scoring it's easier for the opposition to focus on them, and we don't get last change.
"That's why I've been saying for the last week we need balanced scoring. We need another line or two to step up and we need offense from our defense and we're going to keep preaching that. Peterson and Radulov both hang out with the puck and try to make plays. They don't throw it away, and they're starting to read off each other really well."
Benn has played with Radulov for long stretches in the past, so their chemistry is understandable. The interesting twist has been that Peterson and Radulov seem to be on the same page, as well.
"I think that playing with [Radulov] I'm getting more into it and getting to know each other more and that makes things easier on the ice," Peterson said. "I know where to be when [Radulov] has the puck now and know where the puck is. And with Jamie there, it's really good. They both help me a lot out there so it's easy to play with those guys."
Now, they just have to build on it on the road. One step at a time, Benn said.
"We got a little taste of it last game," Benn said after the Arizona win. "We played the third together, and we had some good chances that didn't go in. Got a couple good practices in, and it was nice to contribute."
