Preview: Stars look to sweep home-and-home vs. Coyotes

Dallas Stars at Arizona Coyotes

About the Stars

The Stars (3-3-0) won their second consecutive game with Tuesday's 3-1 win over Arizona at American Airlines Center. Ben Bishop stopped 27 of 28 shots, and Radek Faksa and Dan Hamhuis both had one goal and one assist. The Stars built a 2-0 lead and then had to survive a strong push from the Coyotes.
"I don't think we played very well," said Stars coach Ken Hitchcock. "From a continuity standpoint, this was our weakest performance. The players and the staff know we'll have to be much better Thursday if we expect to collect two points."
Bishop will start in goal Thursday. Jamie Oleksiak, who has been scratched the past two games, will come back into the lineup and Julius Honka will come out.
Defenseman John Klingberg and forward Brett Ritchie did not practice Wednesday. Both had maintenance days and are expected to play Thursday.
Thursday's game kicks off a stretch that will see the Stars play six of their next seven games on the road.
Injuries: None

About the Coyotes

The Coyotes (0-5-1) had their losing streak to open the season hit six with Tuesday's 3-1 loss in Dallas. Adin Hill had a strong NHL debut in goal stopping 31 of 33 shots, and Jason Demers scored the lone goal.
"We've just got to keep punching away," said Coyotes coach Rick Tocchet. "We still made some plays and got some chances tonight. That's a good hockey club over there, and we were close, but just not good enough."
Hill is expected to start in goal for the Coyotes on Thursday. G Antti Raanta, who remains day to day with a lower-body injury, has not resumed skating.
Injuries: G Antti Raanta (lower-body) and F Brad Richardson (lower-body) are day-to-day. D Jakob Chychrun (knee) and F Brendan Perlini (upper-body) are out.

Season Series

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 Mark on Twitter @StarsInsideEdge.