After ending 2016 on a bit of a high, the Dallas Stars are back to their losing ways in 2017. They’ve started the year with five losses in their first seven games, and have dropped two in a row to the Wild (5-4) and the Sabres (4-1). The Stars have now slipped back below .500 at 18-19-8.
After filling in for Antti Niemi after just four minutes against the Wild, Kari Lehtonen took the loss for the Stars against the Sabres as he gave up three goals and stopped 25 shots. Goaltending has been a major issue for the Stars all season long, and it’s popped up again this month. Dallas has a 3.0 goals against average this season (26th in the league), but that number’s up to 3.57 in January. Niemi and Lehtonen have already given up four or more goals in five of their first seven games.
The offense has at least showed some signs of life. They’re scoring 3.14 goals per game this month, a jump up from the 2.7 goals they’re averaging on the year.
However, they’ve scored just one goal in their last two road games, and have two goals or fewer in six of their last 10. Dallas is just 5-15 in its last 20 road games.
For just the third time this season, the New York Rangers are on a losing streak. The Rangers did lose to two likely playoff teams in the Atlantic, the Maple Leafs (4-2) and the division-leading Canadiens (5-4).
It’s been a rough start to 2017 for Henrik Lundqvist. The Rangers’ star goalie came on to replace the injured Antti Raanta against the Habs, and proceeded to give up a season-high 5 goals in just 39 minutes of action. Lunqvist now has a horrendous 3.8 goals against average with a .861 save percentage over the first five games of the year. However, Lunqvist did record one of his two shutouts this season against the Stars.
New York’s prolific offense (3.4 goals per game, No. 1 in the NHL) scored two goals in that 2-0 over Dallas last month, and should continue to find joy against a struggling Stars defense.
The Rangers have been very shaky at home, though. They’re 13-8-1 on the season and have dropped three of their last four at MSG.
Writer’s Prediction
The Rangers (-165) snap their losing skid with a 4-1 home win.
