JK3
Moderator
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NEW JERSEY DEVILS (31-20-6) vs. DALLAS STARS (35-18-2)
New Jersey returns to action following the 4 Nations Face-Off by hosting the Dallas Stars.
The Devils entered the 4 Nations Face-Off break on a high following a 4-0 victory at Montreal. Goalie Jake Allen made 34 saves for his second shutout in four games while Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt each notched a goal and assist.
The Devils had righted their ship a bit, going 5-3-0 overall into the break after a 1-1-3 stretch. Despite the struggles, the Devils continued to collect valuable points in the standings. New Jersey is third in the Metro Division with 68 points, just two points behind second-place Carolina (70).
The Stars currently sit in second place in the Central Division with 72 points, two points ahead of Minnesota (70) but with one game in hand. Winnipeg is currently running away with the division title so Dallas and Minnesota are fighting for home ice in the First Round. Dallas went 6-1-1 in its final eight games before the 4 Nations break. That includes victories over Vegas (twice) and Vancouver.
Dallas is a well-balanced team. The club ranks 8th in the league in offense (3.27 goals per game) while placing 4th defensively (2.51). The Stars also boast the league’s No. 1 PK with an 85% success rate. Much of their success is attributable to Oettinger, who is on pace for his fourth straight 30-win season.
The team is without standout defenseman Miro Heiskanen is out following knee surgery and forward Tyler Seguin (hip/leg).
WHO’S HOT
Devils: Jesper Bratt rode an eight-game point streak into the break totaling 12 points (2g-10a).
Stars: Matt Duchene posted two goals and three points in back-to-back games heading into the break for four goals and six points in two contests overall. Duchene has seven points (3g-4a) in his last 6 games.
INJURIES
Devils: Markstrom (knee), Siegenthaler (lower body)
Stars: Heiskanen (knee, IR), Seguin (hip, LTIR), Lundkvist (shoulder, LTIR), Lyubushkin (undisclosed)
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