Preview: Stars look to keep rolling as they open road trip in Colorado

Dallas Stars at Colorado Avalanche

About the Stars

The Stars (5-3-0) extended their winning streak to four games with a 4-3 win over Carolina Saturday at American Airlines Center. The Stars built a 4-0 lead in the game, and then the Hurricanes scored late in the second and twice more in the third to make a game of it. Tyler Pitlick scored two goals, and Ben Bishop made 36 saves for the Stars.
"We had them dead to rights (leading 4-0)," Stars coach Ken Hitchcock said. "The first goal gave them a little bit of life and the life they got from the second goal, that's all on us. We were playing unbelievable. We played for two periods, except for the last nine seconds, exactly how you have to play to beat them."
Tuesday's game begins the first extended road trip of the season for the Stars who play five games over 10 days against Colorado, Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver, and Winnipeg. The Stars are 1-2-0 on the road, but Hitchcock likes the way the Stars have played away from home especially in the losses at St. Louis and Nashville.
"We've played better on the road than we have at home. Our two best performances have been on the road in Nashville and in St. Louis. If we duplicated that I would be happy," Hitchcock said. "We all know it's tough winning on the road. You've got to try to break even, and your goalie has to steal points. That's the way you win on the road. If we play at the pace we did in those other two games we'd be pretty happy."
RW Brett Ritchie (maintenance) didn't practice Monday but is expected to play Tuesday, according to Hitchcock.
Bishop will start in goal.
Injuries: None

About the Avalanche

The Avalanche (4-4-0) saw their losing streak hit three games with a 4-3 loss to St. Louis in Denver on Thursday. The Avalanche led 1-0 after one period, but the Blues scored three straight goals in the second to take control of the game.
"You lose a couple guys to injury, it hurts you. We had a couple passengers that we stopped playing, that hurts you," said Avalanche coach Jared Bednar. "A couple bonehead plays, you can't make them. You're playing the best team in the [Central] division for a tie in the division lead, and we had a couple guys who didn't show up to play. Can't do it."
Defenseman Patrik Nemeth suffered a lower-body injury during Thursday's game and is not expected to play Tuesday. Forwards J.T. Compher (thumb) and Tyson Jost (lower body) both were injured in Thursday's game and were placed on injured reserve Sunday. Forwards Gabriel Bourque and A.J. Greer were recalled from San Antonio of the AHL.
Semyon Varlamov will start in goal Tuesday.
Tuesday's game is the second of a two-game homestand for the Avalanche.
Injuries:D Patrik Nemeth (lower body), LW J.T. Compher (thumb) and C Tyson Jost (lower 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.