Stars-Avalanche Preview

Dallas Stars at Colorado Avalanche
Saturday, December 3
8:00 p.m.
TV: Fox Sports Southwest Plus
Radio: The Ticket 1310 AM/96.7 FM
About the Stars
The Stars (9-10-6) lost 6-2 at Pittsburgh Thursday. It was a 3-2 game late in the third and the Stars were pressing for the game-tying goal, but the Penguins scored three times in the final four minutes to blow it open.
"I thought we played a pretty sound one and got the opportunities we needed to get, but it's tough to win when you are only scoring one or two goals a night," said Stars coach Lindy Ruff. "We were pressing late in the game, it was tight, and we had three or four opportunities to tie the game."
The Stars, who are 0-2-1 in the first three games of their four-game game road trip, have lost five straight away from home (0-3-2).
Injuries: D Johnny Oduya (lower body), RW Jiri Hudler (illness), C/LW Mattias Janmark (knee) and RW Ales Hemsky (hip) are on injured reserve.

About the Avalanche
The Avalanche (9-12-1) lost 3-2 to Columbus in Denver Thursday. The Avalanche rallied from a 2-0 deficit in the first period to tie the game in the second, but Columbus' Boone Jenner scored the game-winner with an even-strength goal at 8:57 of the third period.
"The result is what it is. We got to keep working and find a way through it," Bednar said. "We competed hard without the puck. I didn't love our game with the puck. Tonight, we were just too sloppy with the puck, and I think that started with our D-core. I don't think they moved it well tonight."
The loss was the fourth straight for the Avalanche, who fell to 0-3-1 on their five-game homestand.
Colorado assigned forwards Sam Henley and Gabriel Bourque to San Antonio (AHL) Friday. Defenseman Eric Gelinas cleared waivers Friday but is still on the roster.
Semyon Varlamov is expected to start in goal Saturday against the Stars.
Injuries: F Gabriel Landeskog (lower body) is on injured reserve.
Season Series
\This is the third of five meetings between the Stars and Avalanche.
\The Stars are 1-1-0 vs. Colorado this season.
\Oct. 15, at Colorado: Avalanche 6, Stars 5
\Nov. 17, at Dallas; Stars 3, Avalanche 2
\The Stars are 4-11 on the power play against Colorado this season.
\The Stars are 1-8-0 in their past nine games at Colorado.
Statistical Tidbits
\The Stars are 3-7-4 on the road.
\The Avalanche are 4-7-1 at home.
\The Stars are 5-6-2 vs. the Central Division.
\The Avalanche are 4-6-0 vs. the Central.
\Avalanche rank 28th in goal scoring (2.23 per game).
\The Stars rank 30th in goals against (3.40 per game).
\Colorado has allowed an average of 37.8 shots per game over its past six games.
\Stars forward Tyler Seguin is tied for fifth in the NHL in scoring with 25 points (8 goals, 17 assists). He is tied for second in the NHL in assists.
*Forward Nathan MacKinnon leads the Avalanche in scoring with 15 points (5 goals, 10 assists).
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.