Stars forward Alexander Radulov was getting a lot of attention from the Montreal media both Monday and this morning. This will be Radulov's first game against the Canadiens since signing with the Stars as a free agent over the summer. Radulov played one season in Montreal after returning to North America from the KHL.
"It will be a good game. I have a lot of friends there, and it's going to be special for me," Radulov said. "But for the team, we need to win."
The Stars come into tonight's game with a 10-9-1 record and sitting out of a playoff spot based on points percentage. Stars coach Hitchcock said it's time for the Stars to start racking up some wins.
"The first 20 games are for numbers and trends," Hitchcock said. "We are now into game No. 21, and now it is about wins and losses. The trends are what they are, we look like we are the darlings of the numbers game, but now we've got to translate that into wins."
The Stars are expected to go with basically the same lineup as Saturday's game. The only change is that Gemel Smith will come into the lineup to replace Martin Hanzal who is out with a hand injury. The Stars held an optional skate this morning and didn't run lines, but Hitchcock is expected to go with lines he switched to during the 6-3 win over Edmonton on Saturday. That will include Antoine Roussel skating on the top line with Benn and Radulov.
No changes are expected on defense. Hitchcock has indicated he will go with the same six defenseman and same pairs as the last several games. Ben Bishop will get the start in goal. Mike McKenna will serve as the backup with Kari Lehtonen on personal leave due to the birth of his son over the weekend.
