DAL GamePreview 1.25.23

The Devils are in Dallas taking on the Stars in New Jersey's final game before the All-Star break.
You can watch on MSGSN or listen on the Devils Hockey Network. Game time is 8:30 p.m. ET.
Check back an hour ahead of tonight's game for your pregame story and read the game preview below.

YOUR GAME-DAY ESSENTIALS

DALInnerPhoto 1.27.23

GAME DAY VIDEO
WATCH:
Lindy Ruff
|
Bratt
BY THE NUMBERS
Stats Comparison: Devils vs. Stars
Media Game Notes: Devils vs. Stars
Devils Player Statistics
Stars Player Statistics
NHL Standings
RECENT VIDEOS
REWIND:
Falling Prey
COMMUNITY:
All-Star Surprise
COMMUNITY:
Hockey in NJ
RECENT ARTICLES
GAME STORY:
Devils Succumb to Predators, 6-4
PHOTOS:
Best of Week Jan. 15-22
ANALYSIS:
Breaking Down Hughes' Shot
FEATURE:
Katz Creates Air Support for Devils
TV & RADIO
You can watch the game on MSGSN
You can listen to the game on the Devils Hockey Network.

PRE-GAME STORY

DALLAS, Tx. -Having played Thursday night in Nashville and flying to Dallas following the game, the Devils did not hold a morning skate.
Bounce Back
The Devils suffered a 6-4 loss in Nashville Thursday night, the first half of this back-to-back. In the contest, New Jersey surrendered 41 shots on goal, and six breakaways in a sloppily played contest.
"We were careless and turned pucks over. We weren't hard enough around our net," head coach Lindy Ruff said. "I expect our game to get back to where it needs to be, and not give up the rush chances and not give up the breakaways. It's a game we have to put behind us in a hurry."
The Devils have the quick turnaround when they face the Stars Friday night. But it's an opportunity to redeem themselves from their effort in Tennessee.
"Today is a bounce back," forward Jesper Bratt said. "It's to show that even if we have a game like we did yesterday we can come back today. We're going to have to show a lot of character, come out and really get it done today."
The Devils have a lot of pride, and a response is what the coaching staff expects.
"To a man, if you asked individuals they'll say they're pretty disappointed in their games," Ruff said. "They get to respond to that tonight."
Seeing Stars
The Dallas Stars are the top team in the Western Conference. And they defeated the Devils, 4-1, in the previous matchup in New Jersey (though two of Dallas' goals were empty-netters in a tightly played contest).
"They're a real good defensive team. They don't give up a lot," Ruff said. "They have speed, they have size. They come at you with different lines. They have a defense that has guys that get in on the offense. We have to be aware of where we're coming back in our own end and be aware of the right things."
"They play with a lot of speed. They have a lot of skill up front," Bratt said. "They have a lot of guys that can score goals. Special teams is going to be huge for us, too. We can't give these guys too many offensive chances."
Especially on the power play, where Dallas ranks sixth in the NHL with a 25.9-percent success rate.
"It'll be a good test for us, a fun game," Bratt said. "These are the type of games we want to play and show how good we are."
--Sam Kasan, NewJerseyDevils.com

PREVIEW

DEVILS (31-13-4) AT STARS (28-13-9)
TV:8:30 p.m. ET; Televised on MSG
RADIO: 8:30 p.m. ET; Live on Devils Hockey Network
Head-to-Head:
The Devils and Stars are playing their second and final game this season when New Jersey visits Dallas. In the first meeting, the Stars beat the Devils 4-1 at Prudential Center; however the score doesn't tell the full story. The visiting team held a 2-1 lead going into the third period and then scored two empty net goals in the final 70 seconds of regulation to cement their win. Miles Wood scored the lone Devil goal in the contest.
Devils Team Scope:
The Devils have one final game before the All-Star break and they're looking to quickly rebound after losing to Nashville, 6-4, on Thursday night. It was the Devils third regulation road loss this season.
Against Nashville, the Devils gave up too many odd-man rushes and had bad puck play, which contributed to the loss. New Jersey did see some secondary scoring with Yegor Sharangovich and Dawson Mercer adding a goal each. Jesper Bratt and Jack Hughes also contributed goals. Mackenzie Blackwood had 35 saves on 40 shots.
Overall, January has been a solid month for the Devils who have gone 8-2-2, including picking up nine out of ten possible points on a five-game road trip. Throughout the month the Devils have found different ways to win but the majority of points recently are due to last minute goals that tied games.
Jack Hughes has 31 goals and 31 assists for 62 points and is on a seven-game points streak. Hughes has multi-point performances in his last three games. The 2023 All-Star paces New Jersey in all scoring categories. Nico Hischier has the second most goals (21) while Jesper Bratt is second in assists (30) and points (49).
With Mackenzie Blackwood facing Nashville it is likely that Vitek Vanecek will get the start against Dallas as it is a back-to-back for the Devils. Vanecek is 20-5-2 with a 2.30 goals against average and a .916 save percentage.
Stars Team Scope:
The Stars are looking to get back on track with their final game before the bye week and All-Star break after losing their last two games in overtime, 3-2, to the Hurricanes and Sabres. Those two losses come after Dallas won two straight games, 4-0, against the Kings and Coyotes. January has been an up and down month for the Stars who have gone 5-4-3 through 12 games. Although, Dallas has outscored its opponents 34-26 during this span, and have shutout their opponents in two of their last four games.
Jason Robertson's 33 goals and 66 points pace the Stars while Robertson and Joe Pavelski are tied for 33 assists. Like the Devils, Dallas has four players over 40 points this season - Robertson (66), Pavelski (47), Hintz (45), and Benn (43). Benn has found success at the faceoff dot this season as he's fifth in the league with a 59.3% win rate.
Jake Oettinger and former Devil Scott Wedgewood make up the goaltender tandem. Oettinger has a 21-7-6 record with a 2.24 goals against average and a .924 save percentage. Oettinger is sixth in the NHL for goals against average and save percentage. He's tied for fourth in the league with 21 wins. Wedgewood has a 7-6-3 record with 2.97 goals against average and .911 save percentage.
When you look at team statistics, the Stars have the upper hand against in most categories. Special teams are a strength for Dallas as the Stars have the fifth best power play and third best penalty kill in the NHL. The Devils have the ninth best penalty kill and are nineteenth with their power play. Dallas is seventh for goals for per game played and second for goals against per game played while New Jersey is sixth and seventh respectively.
By the Numbers:
The Stars know how to put up goals in the first and third periods as they're third and fourth in the league for scoring during those frames. Dallas has 52 first period goals and 63 third period goals. The Devils are right behind the Stars in the ranking for most third-period goals with their 60 this season.
Jack Hughes became the second player in franchise history, and first Devils player, to score 31 goals in a single season while under the age of 22. Wilf Paiement also achieved this feat playing for the Colorado Rockies in the 1976-77 season.
Injury Updates:
Devils
John Marino (upper-body, week-to-week)
Jonathan Bernier (hip, LTIR)
Stars
None
-Catherine Bogart, NJD.TV