Consolation-seeking Dallas Stars face St. Louis Blues – NHL Preview
Dallas Stars’ recent slump cost them the playoff spot and now they can only get consolation as they play their last game of the season against St. Louis Blues on Saturday, April 07, 2012, at American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas.
Stars had a strong chance of qualifying for the postseason, but halfway through the month of March, they lost their momentum, allowing other teams to move forward.
On the other hand, Blues have already qualified for the playoffs, but they are on a long losing streak, which they want to snap before the start of the playoffs.
Here is a look at both teams.
Stars
They are ranked at ninth spot in the Western Conference with 89 points after 81 games and are currently on a four-game losing streak, which became the reason for them being left out of the playoffs.
Their recent defeats came against Vancouver Canucks (5-2), San Jose Sharks (3-0), Sharks (5-2) and Nashville Predators (2-0).
In the game against Predators, Stars did well to defend and did not allow any scoring move in the first two periods. However, Predators scored twice in the final period and won the game.
Stars’ coach, Glen Gulutzan, said after the game:
"We just didn't get the result we wanted, but we played hard. I liked the way we competed. It was a one goal game, really who could get that one in? They managed to do so."
Blues
They are ranked second in the Western Conference with 107 points after 81 games and have already qualified for the playoffs after clinching the Central Division title.
Blues, however, are not in a very good form as they have lost four games in a row with the defeats coming against Chicago Blackhawks (4-3 after shootout), Columbus Blue Jackets (5-2), Detroit Red Wings (3-2 after shootout) and Phoenix Coyotes (4-1).
Against Coyotes, Blues scored a goal in the first period while giving away one, but they were unable to provide more scoring moves and gave away two goals in the second period and one in the final and lost the game.
Blues’ captain, David Backes, said after the game:
"There's no more talking now. We're at Game 82 tomorrow, let's go out there and do what we know we have to do. Either we commit to this team game the way we have to be successful or we're going to be talking like this in more scrums."
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