Stars-Kings Preview

Dallas Stars at Los Angeles Kings
Thursday March 7
9:30 p.m.
TV: Fox Sports Southwest
Radio: KTCK-1310 (AM)

About the Stars

The Stars (11-9-2) are coming off a 4-1 victory over St. Louis at American Airlines Center. The Stars have picked up points in four of their last five games (3-1-1).

We did simple things. We got pucks to the net and we didn’t take penalties,” said Stars coach Glen Gulutzan. “It wasn’t a pretty hockey game to watch, but at the end of the day if you play enough of those the right way you’re going to get results. We got them tonight.”

After starting the season 2-4-1, the Stars are 9-5-1 in their last 15 games.

The Stars recalled LW Francis Wathier from the Texas Stars (AHL) on Wednesday.

Injuries: D Philip Larsen (shoulder) is probable. D Aaron Rome (foot) and LW Ray Whitney (foot) are out.

About the Kings

The Kings (12-7-2) are coming off a 6-4 win over St. Louis at Staples Center Tuesday night. It was the seventh win in the last eight games for the Kings, who trailed 4-1 at the 26:31 mark of the game and 4-2 after two periods.

“We got away with one tonight, didn’t have the best start, not the best second period but when you get four goals in the third that helps a lot and we came out firing,” Kings center Anze Kopitar said. “We said that after the second that we’re going to throw everything at them, we did and it worked out.”

The Kings, who started the season 3-5-2, are 9-2-0 in their last 11 games.

Injuries:  D Willie Mitchell (knee) and D Matt Greene (back) are out.

Series Notes

*This is the first of five meetings between the Stars and Kings.

*The Stars were 3-3-0 (6 points) against the Kings last season.

*The Kings were 3-1-2 (8 points) against the Stars last season.

Statistical tidbits

*The Stars are 5-1-1 in their last seven road games.

*The Kings have won six straight at home and are 7-0-1 in their last eight games at Staples Center.

*The Stars have scored three goals or more in 12 of their last 13 games.

*The Kings have allowed two goals or fewer in eight of their last 11 games.

*The Stars are 5-19 (26.3%) on the power play over the last five games.

*The Kings are 5-21 (23.8%) on the power play over the last five games.

*The Kings have been outscored 19-11 in first periods this season, but have outscored their opponents 25-12 in third periods.

*Kings forward Jeff Carter has scored goals in seven of his last eight games and has 9 goals during that stretch.

*Stars forward Loui Eriksson has three goals over his last four games.

Statistical matchup