Dallas Stars face Calgary Flames in crunch encounter - NHL Preview
Dallas Stars and Calgary Flames are slumping but on Saturday, March 24, 2012, both teams have the opportunity to get back to winning ways and reignite their playoff chase when they face each other at the American Airlines Center.
The Dallas Stars were just recently comfortable at the top of the Pacific Division and were third in the Western Conference but three losses in their last four games have seen them drop down to eighth in the conference with 85-points.
The Stars have been replaced in third by the Los Angeles Kings who maintain a one point lead over their division rivals.
Calgary Flames on the other hand have hit even worse form with four straight defeats in a row.
The Flames lost three games against the bottom sides of the Western Conference with defeats to Columbus Blue Jackets, Edmonton Oilers and their latest loss to the Minnesota Wild.
Calgary, though still remain in the hunt for a playoff spot as they trail eighth placed Dallas by just two points.
The Flames are currently 11th in the Western Conference with 83-points.
Stars (40-29-5, 85 pts)
Dallas will face the Flames in the first of two straight games and will be hoping to get back to winning ways and once again top of their division.
The Stars lost their home ice game against Vancouver Canucks 2-1 on Thursday to give up their spot at the top end of the conference table.
Vancouver were up 2-0 in the third period. At 7:44 Vernon Fiddler stepped up to peg the Canucks lead back but his goal was the only one Dallas could muster.
Coach Glen Gulutzan was unimpressed with his players and said after the game.
"We weren't as focused as we need to be this time of year. Maybe it's a good reality check of how delicate these next eight games are going to be."
Flames (34-26-15, 83 pts)
This could be Calgary’s most important game yet and hanging in the balance is a chance to enter the playoff rounds.
The Flames will be looking to end their recent winning drought with a big performance and with just two points separating them from the playoff spots they will be pumped up for the game.
Disappointing defeats to lowly teams have hit the Flames confidence hard.
The Flames lost 3-2 after a shootout to the Minnesota Wild on the road and captain Jarome Iginla was furious after the game.
"It was a tough loss, no question. We were in control of that game, took some penalties and lost the momentum. You look at the standings, this is a tough one. We all feel it tonight, we weren't good enough and there's no excuses."
Predictions
Dallas will be favourites to pick up the win.
Sum of goals will be less than six.
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