Stars-Avalanche Preview

Colorado Avalanche at Dallas Stars
Thursday, December 29
7:30 p.m.
TV: Fox Sports Southwest
Radio: The Ticket 1310 AM/96.7 FM
About the Stars
The Stars (15-14-7) came out of the NHL's holiday break with a 3-2 win at Arizona Tuesday. The Stars scored shorthanded and on the power play, and Kari Lehtonen stopped 35 shots as the Stars won consecutive games for only the second time this season and for the first time since Nov. 10-11.
"Definitely it's a big win for us," said Stars forward Jason Spezza. "We have had a hard time winning two in a row, so that's something to build off of. Now we head back home and have a couple home games."
The Stars have points in four straight games (3-0-1) and are 4-1-1 in their past six games.
Center Cody Eakin is eligible to return after serving all four games of his suspension for charging New York Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist.
The Stars Wednesday assigned center Jason Dickinson to Texas (AHL).
Thursday's game kicks off a three-game homestand for the Stars, who will play Colorado, Florida, and Montreal.
Injuries: LW Antoine Roussel (upper body) and RW Patrick Sharp (concussion) are day to day. C/LW Mattias Janmark (knee) and RW Ales Hemsky (hip) are on injured reserve.

About the Avalanche
The Avalanche (12-21-1) lost 6-3 to Calgary at Pepsi Center Tuesday. It was the ninth straight home loss for Colorado, which hasn't won at home since Nov. 15. The pucks weren't bouncing Colorado's way on Tuesday.
"You feel for [goaltender Calvin Pickard] when they're bouncing off the back and in front of people and stuff, but at the same time it's in our zone, and we're not pushing it their way," said Avalanche forward Jarome Iginla. "There were some unfortunate plays, but we still take responsibility for that and have to find ways to be better. They were better than us tonight."
The Avalanche have lost 13 of their past 16 games overall (3-12-1), and all three of those wins have come on the road.
Goaltender Semyon Varlamov, who missed Tuesday's game with a groin injury, was be re-evaluated Wednesday and did not travel to Dallas. Pickard will start in goal Thursday.
Colorado plays three of its next four games on the road.
Injuries: G Semyon Varlamov (groin) is out. D Erik Johnson (leg) is on injured reserve.
Season Series
\This is the fourth of five meetings between the Stars and Avalanche this season.
\The Stars are 2-1-0 in the season series.
\The Avalanche are 1-2-0 in the season series.
\Oct. 15, at Colorado: Avalanche 6, Stars 5
\Nov. 17, at Dallas: Stars 3, Avalanche 2
\Dec. 3, at Colorado: Stars 3, Avalanche 0
Statistical Tidbits
\The Stars are 10-5-3 at home.
\The Avalanche are 8-9-0 on the road.
\The Stars are 7-7-3 vs. the Central Division.
\The Avalanche are 5-10-5 vs. the Central Division.
\The Stars have allowed 23 goals over the past 11 games (2.09/game).
\The Stars have allowed 10 goals during 5-on-5 play over the past 11 games.
\Since Dec. 3, the Stars have a league-best five-on-five save percentage of .959 (236 saves on 246 shots).
\The Stars have allowed two goals or fewer in eight of their past 11 games.
\Colorado has scored two goals or fewer in five of its past six games.
\The Avalanche rank 30th in the NHL in goals for (2.06/game) and 30th in goals against (3.26/game).
\Tyler Seguin leads the Stars in scoring with 34 points (11 goals, 23 assists).
\Nathan MacKinnnon leads the Avalanche in scoring with 25 points (9 goals, 16 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.