Preview: Back home, Stars look to get on track vs. Bruins

Boston Bruins at Dallas Stars

About the Stars

The Stars (38-28-8) concluded a 0-4-2 road trip with a 4-3 loss at Washington on Tuesday night. The Stars overcame 2-1 and 3-2 deficits in the game, but Capitals defenseman John Carlson scored the game-winning goal with 4:59 remaining.
"The road trip from hell is over, and we go home," said Stars center Tyler Seguin. "Nothing you can really do now. Got to get home, got to get points. We're playing some good teams, but we've got to find a way here."
When the road trip started the Stars were in the first wild-card spot in the West with a three-point lead over the ninth-place team and by Wednesday night they had fallen to 10th place and three points out of a playoff spot.
The Stars have eight games remaining - four at home and four on the road - and Friday's game against Boston begins a three-game homestand.
"We're in a tough spot, and those games at home are going to be huge," said Stars forward Alexander Radulov. "We need those points. We're still in the battle, and there's still a lot of hockey left."
RW Brett Ritchie, who missed Tuesday's game in Washington due to illness, is expected to play Friday. D Marc Methot, who has been out with a hand injury, practiced Thursday. He will be evaluated Friday to see if he can play. C Jason Spezza, who missed Tuesday's game with a back injury, did not practice Thursday and is expected to be out two weeks.
Goaltender Ben Bishop remains out with a knee injury. Kari Lehtonen is the expected starter in goal Friday vs. Boston.
Injuries:D Marc Methot (hand) is questionable. C Jason Spezza (back), G Ben Bishop (knee) and C Martin Hanzal (back) are out.

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About the Bruins

The Bruins (45-17-10) clinched a playoff spot by picking up one point in a 2-1 overtime loss at St. Louis Wednesday. Ryan Donato staked the Bruins to a 1-0 lead midway through the first period, but Blues forward Jaden Schwartz tied the game midway through the third and then won it with a goal on the rush 30 seconds into overtime. But it was a big point for the Bruins.
"It's step one. Going into the season, we wanted to make the playoffs, be a Stanley Cup contender and at some point hope you're a Stanley Cup favorite. That's kind of where it goes from there," said Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy. "But right now, we got in, so we're going to be a contender, and that's the good news. Going forward, we want to be in the best position possible, playing the best hockey going in."
The Bruins have made the playoffs in nine of the last 11 seasons.
Boston is 2-2-2 in its last six games.
The Bruins had Thursday off.
Friday is the second of a four-game road trip for Boston.
Injuries: F Rick Nash (upper body), D Zdeno Chara (upper body) and D Torey Krug (upper body) are day to day. F Jake DeBrusk (upper body), F Patrice Bergeron (foot), D Charlie McAvoy (knee), and F David Backes (leg laceration) are out.

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Season Series

• This is the second and final meeting of the season between the Stars and Bruins.
• The Stars won the first meeting, 3-2 in overtime, in Boston on Jan. 15.
• The Bruins have won four straight games in Dallas.

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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.