Dallas Stars look to increase gap in Western Conference with win over Edmonton Oilers - NHL Preview
Dallas Stars will look to start March on a positive note as they start a three game road trip starting with Edmonton Oilers on Friday, March 2nd, 2012.
The Stars had a great month in February, as they secured the eighth spot in the Western Conference with 71 points and will be confident of winning at Edmonton to put some real daylight between themselves and the playoff chasing Los Angeles Kings and Colorado
Avalanche.
Dallas lost its final game in February with a 4-3 shootout defeat to Pittsburgh Penguins which ended a brilliant four game winning run.
The Oilers on the other hand have nothing left to play for this season as they lie near the bottom of the Western Conference table in 14th spot with just 56 points.
Edmonton though have not let their poor season stop them from giving their opponents a fight and recently shocked some of their much better opponents with brilliant performances.
They will now look to spoil Dallas Stars hopes of securing a playoff spot with a win at home and give their fans something to cheer about.
Stars (33-26-5, 71 pts)
Dallas’ good form in February kept them in front of playoff spot rivals Colorado Avalanche and Los Angeles Kings but their lead is just by a paltry single point.
The Stars have a great opportunity to increase their lead in eight spot with a win on Friday and coach Glen Gulutzan knows how important the two points are.
"We've gotta get some points. We've got a big game Friday. We're not looking too far ahead, game by game here."
The Stars had their four game winning run ended on Wednesday, against Pittsburgh Penguins in a shootout.
Dallas though fought well and equalised in the third period to send the game to overtime but the Penguins won out in the shootout.
"This is going to be a grind. If we think there aren't going to be ups and downs in the next 18 games, then we're kidding ourselves. When you look back in retrospect, it was a good month for us."
Oilers (25-32-6, 56 pts)
Edmonton’s season is over with just pride to play for. Yet the Oilers are taking each game seriously and picking up some surprising results both at home and on the road.
The Oilers on Monday destroyed the Winnipeg Jets on the road with a 5-3 victory but followed it up with a 5-2 defeat to St. Louis.
Edmonton coach Tom Renney was left in no doubt about the difference between his young side and the St. Louis Blues after the defeat.
Speaking to media after the game he said.
"(The Blues are) a team that played the game the right way. One thing they won't do is beat themselves, much like we did."
Predictions
The Dallas Stars will be favourites to pick up the win.
It will be a high scoring game as the Stars offence has been performing really well in its recent games.
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