Tampa Bay Lightning​ vs Dallas Stars Preview

By Jake Ricker

Overview

The Tampa Bay Lightning (14-2-2) are set to take on the Dallas Stars (9-8-1) at Amalie Arena at 7:30 PM. The Bolts are coming off a three-game west coast road trip where they were able to win all three games, whereas the Stars are coming off a back to back where they lost to both the Hurricanes and the Panthers. Entering tonight the Bolts and the Stars are the top 2 teams in the NHL when it comes to powerplay percentage (Stars at first with 30.2% and the Bolts in second with 28.6%) so we just might have a high scoring game on our hands. Tonight is a special home game as former Bolts goaltender Ben Bishop makes his first return to Tampa since signing with the Stars, it’s the master vs the student a matchup that is sure to not disappoint in the goaltender department.

The Ben Bishop Angle

Bishop will make his return tonight and Tampa will definitely give him a warm welcome along with a tribute for his time in Tampa Bay. As for the game, Bishop WILL get the start in net tonight and this could be both positive and negative. As we know many former goaltenders have great success against their former teams just as Peter Budaj did in his 5-2 victory against the Kings. The Bolts will look to reverse this tonight and use the knowledge of their own to beat one of our favorite former goalies.

Tampa’s Outlook

The Bolts continue to play some of their best hockey in franchise history against some of the top teams in the league, however, the Bolts have struggled in games where they play a team that most think they should win so tonight the Bolts can’t take their foot off the gas pedal and don’t take the game for granted as they look to continue their hot start.

Keys For Success

1. No Love – The return of Ben Bishop is nice but let’s spoil it. Use our knowledge of him to get a win

2. Top Line Pride – the top line of 90-91-86 is the best line in the NHL. Ride their skills to a victory.

3. Defensive Mindset – Dallas has a dangerous offense, stick to our game plan and give them no momentum.

Offense:

Namestnikov-Stamkos-Kucherov

Palat-Point-Gourde

Killorn-Johnson-Dumont

Kunitz-Brown-Callahan

Defence:

Hedman-Dotchin

Sergachev-Stralman

Coburn-Girardi

Koekkoek/Sustr (Game Time Decision)

Goaltender:

Andre Vasilevskiy (Confirmed)            13-1-1     GAA: 2.32    SV%: .930

 

Dallas Outlook

The Stars come into tonight having lost their last two and will play their toughest opponent yet so tonight they will have to play their best hockey if they want to get the win, and that means getting the offense back on track, staying out of the box, and shutting down one of the best first lines in the NHL.

Keys For Success

1. Feed of Bishop – Bishop knows the Bolts well and should be very sharp in net tonight. The Stars have got to play tight defense and make sure Bishop is has a chance to make the save. The Stars can also feed off his positive energy to get the spark they need.

2. Stay Out of The Box – The Lighting are the last team you want to give a powerplay too with Kucherov and Stamkos on the ice and several other threats. Don’t give them a chance or they will score.

3. Score Score Score! – When Dallas can put the Puck in the back on the net they win in fact when scoring 4 or more goals the Stars are 5-1

Offense:

Benn-Seguin-Radulov

Janmark-Hanzal-Shore

Smith-Spezza-Ritchie

Roussel-Faksa-Pitlick

Defense:

Lindell-Klingberg

Oleksiak-Johns

Hamhuis-Pateryn

Goalie:

Ben Bishop (Confirmed)            7-5-0     GAA: 2.68    SV%: .908