The Dallas Stars will face off against the New Jersey Devils tonight at 7:00 PM EST, with the game broadcast on MSGSN, MSGSN, and Devils Hockey Radio. Both teams are looking to regain momentum after tough recent outings.
The Devils are coming off a disappointing loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets, where they allowed five goals for the second consecutive game, ultimately falling 5-3. Following a promising three-game winning streak, the Devils have struggled at home, offering up a combined ten goals against both the Philadelphia Flyers and Columbus. In an unexpected twist, Brenden Dillon, who was celebrating his 1,000th NHL game, was injured in a fight, and teammate Jonas Siegenthaler received a bizarre ejection for his jersey not being tied down during a skirmish. Meanwhile, Ondrej Palat’s second goal of the season has provided a slight silver lining, alongside continued contributions from key players like Timo Meier, Jesper Bratt, Nico Hischier, and Dawson Mercer, who are collectively striving to regain their earlier form.
On the other hand, the Stars are coming off a close overtime defeat to the New York Rangers, losing 3-2. Despite the setback, they remain one of the hottest teams in the league with a solid record, having lost only three times in their last thirteen games. With a remarkable goal differential of +22, Dallas sits second in the overall league standings, trailing only the Colorado Avalanche. The expectation is for Jake Oettinger to return in goal tonight, potentially stabilizing their defense after a mixed performance from Casey Desmith.
As for the lineup, updates are awaited as the Devils conducted their annual hospital visits rather than a practice on Tuesday. Coach Sheldon Keefe may need to make adjustments depending on Dillon’s availability, while Jacob Markstrom could be back in goal after alternating performances with his fellow goalie.
Predictions for the match lean towards optimism for the Devils, with one playful outlook suggesting that they will emerge victorious. Fans are hoping the team can shake off their recent struggles and capitalize on the home advantage, reminiscent of their dominant earlier season performance.
The anticipation builds as hockey fans expect an electrifying matchup that could either steer the Devils back on track or further embolden the impressive Stars. While the recent dip in performance has raised concerns among some supporters, there is hope that the team can reclaim their competitive edge and bring their best to the ice tonight.