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Red Wings-Stars: Game Day Updates/Key Matchups

By JackSznewajs and J.J. from Kansas

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Detroit Red Wings v Dallas Stars Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Game Day Updates

Some light pregame reading for you:

Key Matchups

1. Stars Top Line vs. Red Wings struggling D

The Stars have one of the best top lines in all of hockey, well, talent wise at least, with Jamie Benn, Tyler Seguin and Alexander Radulov. They have combined for 91 points this year, yet have been struggling compared to their usual standards. In fact, the Stars owner had some not so very nice things to say about them, especially Benn and Seguin ($$), yesterday. Seguin and Benn alone have combined for just 1-point in their last three games too. However, the Red Wings D has been straight up awful over the last 10 games, so it should be a good matchup to see which struggling group can play better tonight.

2. Goalie vs. Goalie

I’m well aware that is as vague as it gets, but that’s because both teams have interesting goalie situations. The Red Wings have been riding Jonathan Bernier, granted due to some injuries, much more than Jimmy Howard of late. And after Howie’s performance the other night vs. Pittsburgh, I know he had no help at all, it’ll be interesting to see who Blash goes with tonight. For Dallas, Ben Bishop hasn’t needed to be the strong #1 they expected, and has been splitting time of late with Anton Khudobin. Khudobin has started back-to-back games, including the latter of which was a 49-save shutout vs. Nashville. It doesn’t matter who is in goal for either team, both coaches are just hoping that they play well to end each teams respective struggles of late.

3. Dylan Larkin vs. Stars D

Larkin is not only the best player on the Red Wings, but he is slowly becoming one of the best players in the entire league. The Stars have allowed the 4th least amount goals in the NHL this season, and a big part of that has been thanks to John Klingberg anchoring the blue line. Larkin’s 12-game point streak is easily the best story the Red Wings have going for them right now, but that could very well be in jeopardy if the Stars D plays the way they have all season tonight.