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Pregame Notes (28): Preds Arrive to Dallas in Tailspin, Stars Look to Take Advantage

taylor newby
·3 min read

For the first time since a regular season opener where Dallas hung on to beat Nashville, the Preds and Stars face off with Nashville in the midst of a tailspin.

The Stars host the Nashville Predators for their second game of a six game homestand after defeating the Calgary Flames 6-2. The Stars have had a few days off and are looking to get back into the swing of things against the last place Predators.

Nashville had one of the biggest off-seasons, signing big name stars like Jonathan Marchessault, Steven Stamkos and Brady Skjei. Despite the amount of talent on their roster, the Predators have had by far the most disappointing season in the NHL thus far. They have recorded only 20 points in 29 games and are on an eight-game losing streak dating back to November 25th. Former Stars goaltender Scott Wedgewood was swapped with Colorado Avalanche backup Justus Annunen in a recent trade, and the Preds could be looking for more shake-ups soon.

Last time out, Nashville got two goals from Marchessault, but blew a lead three different times and lost 4-3 to the Calgary Flames.

The Stars ironically also played the Flames in their last game, though the outcome was much different. The game was even at 2-2 going into the third period when the flood gates opened and the Stars put up four goals. Dallas has relied on goals coming from the line of Matt Duchene, Mason Marchment or Tyler Seguin (pre-injury), but in this game, they had goals from five other players. Depth scoring throughout the lineup is what the Stars have been lacking all season.

Related: Stars Forward Off to Hot Start to Miss 4-6 Months After Surgery

Ahead of Thursday's morning skate, the Stars recalled Lian Bichsel from the Texas Stars, with Matt Dumba out due to an upper-body injury. Bichsel was the Stars first-round pick at 18th overall in 2022. Last season, he opted to play in the Swedish Hockey League mid-way through the season to work on his skating and other skills.

This preseason, he exceeded expectations but missed the final roster for nothing more than pre-existing depth at the NHL level, but with Dumba and Brendan Smith not impressing so far, it appears to be time to see where Bichsel is on his timeline to being an every-day NHL player.

What to watch for:

  • At morning skate, head coach Pete DeBoer announced Bichsel would be making his NHL debut. In 21 games for Cedar Park, Bichsel has tallied three goals and six assists. DeBoer said he was going to ease Bichsel into the game, so it's likely he won't have a ton of ice time, but the Stars are looking to see if he can be the sixth defenseman later in the season and come playoff time, or if they have to take a look at adding to the blue line.

  • Jason Robertson has 15 points, including four goals and 11 assists, in his last nine games against the Predators. Robertson also has four points in his last five games this season.

  • Thomas Harley is coming off his second multi-point game of the season with his two goals against the Flames. He is now tied for the lead in goals and points among defensemen.

Projected lines:

Robertson-Hintz-Johnston
Marchment-Duchene-Stankoven
Benn-Bourque-Dadonov
Steel-Back-Blackwell

Heiskanen-Lyubushkin
Lindell-Lundkvist
Harley-Bichsel

Oettinger
DeSmith

Puck drop is at 7 p.m. CDT and can be seen on Victory+ and ESPN+

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