Stars aim to keep pre-break rhythm intact when Kraken visit
The Dallas Stars hope they can carry the momentum of their six-game winning streak into Wednesday night's contest against the visiting Seattle Kraken.
Dallas, third in the Central Division, won six straight and seven of eight prior to its 20-day break for the Winter Olympics.
"My experience with these streaks is ... when you do have a big break like this, it interrupts the rhythm," Stars coach Glen Gulutzan said. "I guess what I like most about where we were and how we were playing before the break was that there was a very clear visual of what our players felt they were doing better, and we as coaches felt we were doing better in those five, six games than we were prior and I think that hasn't left us and that's the important thing."
The Stars entered the break with the league's fourth-best points percentage (.675) and among the top 10 teams in goals per game (3.32) and goals against per game (2.75). Their power play, meanwhile, was clicking at a second-best rate of 29.9%.
Dallas returns to post-Olympics action without the services of leading point producer Mikko Rantanen. The forward was placed on injured reserve Monday due to an injury he suffered with Finland at the Olympics.
"Hard to replace," Gulutzan said. "It's just opportunity for other guys to get more time and to step up in that role. You can't replace a player like (Rantanen), but you can mitigate the loss for a bit, and that's what we're going to try to do with different guys."
Gulutzan said Rantanen, who has a team-leading 49 assists and 69 points in 54 games, will miss at least two weeks.
Gold medal-winning goaltender Jake Oettinger is expected to be back with the team in time for Wednesday's contest, but Casey DeSmith will get the start in goal against the Kraken.
Wednesday is the third and final meeting between the Kraken and Stars. Dallas edged Seattle 2-1 on Nov. 9 before picking up a 3-2 victory on Nov. 26.
Seattle travels to Dallas having won six of eight prior to the break. The Kraken share third in the Pacific Division with the Anaheim Ducks and own a 13-11-4 road record this season.
With 26 regular-season games remaining, the Kraken are looking forward to the playoff push.
"I mean, it's exciting," forward Jaden Schwartz said. "It's fun to come to the rink. It's good to be in this position. We've worked hard. We've had our ups and downs throughout the year, and now we're in a good spot like lots of other teams."
Captain Jordan Eberle paces the Kraken with 20 goals and 38 points in 54 games this season.
As Seattle opens a brief two-game road trip that concludes in St. Louis on Thursday, Schwartz notes there won't be allowances made for rust stemming from the Olympic break.
"We don't have that time," Schwartz said. "Just with how tight the standings are and playing every other day. You've got to be ready from the get-go. And we will be."