Under the bright lights inside one of the most iconic arenas in the world, the Stars open their 2021-22 regular season tonight against the New York Rangers.
Tonight's game marks just the second time the two franchises have faced each other to start a season. You have to go back to Oct. 6, 1976 for the first contest, a 6-5 victory for the Rangers. More recently, the Stars and Rangers met on March 10, 2020 at American Airlines Center in Dallas' final regular season game of the 2019-20 campaign because of the scheduling pause due to concerns of the coronavirus.
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For fans in the Metroplex, the Stars are hosting an official watching party
tonight at AT&T Discovery District downtown
(208 S. Akard Street, Dallas, TX 75202) beginning at 5 p.m. CT. The game will be shown live on the Discovery District's big screen, and the event will include live appearances by Victor E. Green and the Ice Girls, live entertainment with DJ Shippy, and Stars giveaways at the entrance for early arrivers courtesy of AT&T.
A few things of note leading into the game tonight for the Stars. Jason Robertson and Blake Comeau are rehabbing upper-body injuries, and neither accompanied the team to New York. Stars head coach Rick Bowness says he doesn't expect to see either player on the season-opening road trip but is more optimistic about Comeau.
Alexander Radulov didn't practice yesterday because of illness (non-COVID related) but is hopeful to play tonight. The 35-year-old winger looked good in his four exhibition games, finishing with two goals and four points.
Tonight's game means a little more for Tyler Seguin, who is set to play in a season opener for the first time since Oct. 3, 2019. The 29-year-old forward missed all but three games last season but is fully healthy this time around.
"It's cool playing anywhere to start the year, but walking up the long tunnel at MSG to start the year, what sweeter way?" he said. "I'm excited. We're going to take this day by day, hour by hour. Looking forward to hopefully having some butterflies."
Tonight's game will also mark the NHL debut for rookie Jacob Peterson, who was recalled from the Texas Stars on Tuesday. The 22-year-old had a strong showing throughout camp and the preseason. A former fifth-round pick of the 2017 draft, Peterson posted 33 points (14 goals, 19 assists) and a plus-17 rating in 46 games with Färjestad BK of the Swedish Hockey League last season.
Tonight could be a good night for the Stars if a recent trend continues.
Dallas has posted wins in two of the past three season openers (2-1-0), outscoring opponents 11-2 and recording two shutouts. The club has also earned points in five of the past seven (4-2-1) and 10 of the past 13 (7-3-3) opening-night contests dating back to the 2008-09 campaign.
As for the Rangers, they enter tonight's matchup on the heels of a 5-1 loss last night against the Washington Capitals. Chris Kreider scored the lone goal for New York, who trailed 4-0 before the veteran forward got the club on the board. Alexander Georgiev gave up five goals on 27 shots.
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club.
Kyle Shohara is the Digital Manager for DallasStars.com and writes about the Stars/NHL. Follow him on Twitter @kyleshohara.
