Preview: Stars look to get back on track against Ducks

Dallas Stars at Anaheim Ducks

About the Stars

The Stars (34-21-4) opened a three-game California road trip with a 5-2 loss at San Jose Sunday. The Sharks scored four goals on their first five shots to take a 4-0 lead into the first intermission.
"I don't know what to say. When you don't check, and you don't want to check against a good team who is ready to play, you get buried," said Stars coach Ken Hitchcock. "When you look at the last three games, we've given up so many scoring chances because we don't want to check. When we get back to that, we'll be a good team again."
The loss snapped a six-game road points streak for the Stars who fell in regulation on the road for the first time since Dec. 27.
Martin Hanzal, who missed Sunday's game due to injury, practiced Tuesday. His status for the Anaheim game will be determined Wednesday.
Ben Bishop will get the start in goal Wednesday.
Wednesday's game is the front end of a back-to-back for the Stars who play at Los Angeles on Thursday.
Injuries: C Martin Hanzal (general soreness) is questionable.

About the Ducks

The Ducks (30-20-11) made it three straight wins with a 2-0 victory at Vegas Monday. John Gibson and Ryan Miller combined on the shutout and Jakob Silfverberg and Josh Manson scored goals for the Ducks.
"We've battled some injuries throughout the year, but for the second half of the season, we've had our full team," Silfverberg told media. "We've been picking up some steam here these last couple of games. Tonight, we played one of the best teams in the league, and I think we played them real solid defensively and we didn't give them enough chances."
Gibson left the game after two periods with a lower-body injury. Miller played the third period and stopped 20 shots. Gibson did not practice Tuesday and is day to day.
The Ducks are 5-1-1 in their past seven games and went 3-1-0 on a four-game road trip.
Anaheim plays Wednesday at home and then hits the road again for a game in Arizona on Saturday.
Injuries: G John Gibson (lower body) is day to day. F Patrick Eaves (illness) is on injured reserve.

Season Series

• This is the first of three meetings between the Stars and Ducks this season.
• The Stars were 2-1-0 against Anaheim last season.

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Statistical Tidbits

This story was not subject to approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club.
Mark Stepneski is an independent writer whose posts on DallasStars.com reflect his own opinions and do not represent official statements from the Dallas Stars. You can follow him on Twitter @StarsInsideEdge.