The Dallas Stars host the red-hot Vancouver Canucks tonight (7-0-1 in their last eight games), and all indications are the lineup will remain the same from Tuesday night.
There was hope that Fiddler would return to the lineup tonight, but all indications are he will not suit up. Colton Sceviour is playing well enough that there is no need to rush Fiddler’s return just yet. Sceviour scored his second goal in three games Tuesday night, and his 12 shots show he is not afraid to fire the puck on net.
The top line remains the same, but the other lines reverted to some old looks. The second line is back with Cody Eakin centering the speedy duo of Ryan Garbutt and Antoine Roussel. Coach Lindy Ruff used this line before, and they showed they can give the opposition fits with their speed, aggressiveness and physicality.
Stars lines from morning skate: Benn-Seguin-Nichushkin, Roussel-Eakin-Garbutt, Whitney-Horcoff-Chiasson, Cole-Peverley-Sceviour.
— Mike Heika (@MikeHeika) December 19, 2013
Ray Whitney finally broke his 13-game scoring slump with two goals Tuesday night. He finds himself back with Alex Chiasson on the third line with Horcoff at center. Peverley assisted on Sceviour’s game-winning goal Tuesday night and will get a chance to do it again as he centers a line with the rookie and Erik Cole.
http://youtu.be/UyhqF1hvi38
Maxime Fortunus signed a one-year contract with the Dallas Stars Wednesday morning, but he will be a healthy scratch for tonight’s tilt against the Canucks. The 30-year-old defenseman spent the last five seasons with the Texas Stars leads and registered 105 points in 272 games. He leads the team’s defenders with 16 points in 24 games this season.
Jamie Oleksiak was scratched Tuesday night and sent down to the AHL on Wednesday. He registered no points, no shots, two penalty minutes and a -2 over the last three games, and saw Jordie Benn and Cameron Gaunce jump into the lineup. Aaron Rome is not expected to be out long-term, so rather than stay with the big club as a healthy scratch, Oleksiak was sent down for more seasoning and playing time in the minors.
The defensive pairings will remain the same as they were Tuesday night against the Avalanche:
Stars d-Pairs this morning: Goligoski-Dillon, Jordie Benn-Gonchar, Connauton-Gaunce. Jeffrey, Fiddler and Fortunus look like your scratches.
— Mike Heika (@MikeHeika) December 19, 2013
Dustin Jeffrey will be a healthy scratch again. Kari Lehtonen looks to bounce back after a few rough outings. He allowed 20 goals in his last five outings and posted a save percentage of .867 in that span. Roberto Luongo is expected to be in net for the Canucks.
Expected Lines for Tonight:
Jamie Benn – Tyler Seguin – Valeri Nichushkin
Ryan Garbutt – Cody Eakin – Antoine Roussel
Erik Cole – Rich Peverley – Colton Sceviour
Ray Whitney – Shawn Horcoff – Alex Chiasson
Alex Goligoski – Brenden Dillon
Jordie Benn – Sergei Gonchar
Kevin Connauton – Cameron Gaunce
Kari Lehtonen