Stars-Coyotes Preview

Arizona Coyotes at Dallas Stars
Tuesday, April 4
7:30 p.m.
TV: Fox Sports Southwest Plus
Radio: The Ticket 1310 AM/96.7 FM
About the Stars
The Stars (32-36-11) wrapped up the road portion of their schedule with a 6-3 loss at Tampa Bay Sunday. The Stars had a 2-1 lead late in the second, but Tampa Bay scored four straight goals to take control of the game.
"We just didn't do a good enough job of keeping the game simple for a long enough time," said Stars forward Jason Spezza. "We were good enough to win the game. They capitalized on their chances, and we didn't."
The Stars had three goals waved off in the game and Stars coach Lindy Ruff questioned a couple of calls that led to Tampa Bay goals.
The Stars went 2-3-0 on their five-game road trip.
The Dallas Stars assigned C Justin Dowling to Texas (AHL) Monday.
Tuesday's game begins a three-game homestand that will conclude the season for the Stars.
Injuries: RW Ales Hemsky (hip), D Jamie Oleksiak (lower body) and RW Jiri Hudler (lower body) are day to day. LW Curtis McKenzie (eye), RW Patrick Sharp (hip surgery) and LW Antoine Roussel (hand) are out. C/LW Mattias Janmark (knee) is on injured reserve.

About the Coyotes
The Coyotes (29-41-9) won 2-1 at Los Angeles Sunday. Mike Smith stopped 34 shots, and Alexander Burmistrov and Anthony Duclair scored goals as the Coyotes won their second straight game and eliminated the Kings from playoff contention.
"We knew they were going to come hard," Smith said. "They were kind of on their last lives. We knew we were in for a good battle tonight and it turned out to be one."
Defenseman Kevin Connauton returned to the lineup Sunday after missing 15 games with an upper-body injury.
The Coyotes announced Monday that they have granted defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson a leave of absence for the remainder of the season following the death of his mother.
Injuries: None
Season Series
\This is the third and final meeting of the season between the Stars and Coyotes this season.
\The Stars are 2-0-0 in the season series.
\Dec. 27, at Arizona: Stars 3, Coyotes 2
\Feb. 24, at Dallas: Stars 5, Coyotes 2
\The Stars have won eight straight games at home against Arizona.
Statistical Tidbits
\The Stars are 20-12-6 at home.
\The Coyotes are 12-24-4 on the road.
\The Stars are 12-6-2 vs. the Pacific Division.
\The Coyotes are 5-14-0 vs. the Central Division.
\The Stars are averaging 3.67 goals per game over their past 13 home games.
\The Coyotes are allowing 3.64 goals per game over their past 14 road games.
\Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin co-lead Dallas with 25 goals.
\Radim Vrbata leads Arizona with 18 goals.
\Stars forward Devin Shore ranks 14th in rookie scoring with 32 points (12 goals, 20 assists).
*Coyotes forward Christian Dvorak ranks 15th in rookie scoring with 31 points (14 goals, 17 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.