Jason Spezza missed his third straight game with a lower-body injury. He skated with the team Thursday morning and is day to day. Patrick Sharp missed his tenth game with a concussion but skated with the team Thursday for the first time since going out with the injury. He is not expected to play Friday but could return Sunday.
Fridays' game is the fourth of a five-game road trip for the Stars. They are 1-2-0 in the first three games.
Injuries: C Jason Spezza (lower body) is day to day. RW Patrick Sharp (concussion), RW Jiri Hudler (illness), C Cody Eakin (knee), C/LW Mattias Janmark (knee) and RW Ales Hemsky (hip) are on injured reserve.
About the Oilers
The Oilers (9-4-1) are coming off a 4-3 loss at Pittsburgh Tuesday. The Oilers led 3-1 early in the second period but Pittsburgh the final three goals of the game, including Connor Sheary's game-winner with 1:42 left in the third period.
"It's a hard way to lose," said Oilers coach Todd McLellan. "I thought we got tremendous performances from a number of individuals and some real disappointing performances from a few others."
Oilers captain Connor McDavid registered three assists in a much-anticipated matchup with Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby.
"It was fun," said the 19-year-old McDavid. "It was a good chance for me to measure myself against the best player in the world. Going head to head with him all night is a good test."
The Oilers went 2-2-1 on a five-game road trip. Friday's game is the first of a two-game homestand.
Injuries: D Kris Russell (undisclosed) and F Zack Kassian (undisclosed) are day to day. D Brandon Davidson (upper body), RW Iiro Pakarinen (lower body), D Mark Fayne (lower body), F Matt Hendricks (lower body) and D Andrew Ference (lower body) are on injured reserve.
Season Series
\This is the first of three games between the Stars and Oilers.
\The Stars were 2-0-1 vs. Edmonton last season.
\The Oilers were 1-2-0 vs. Dallas last season.
\Over the past seven seasons, the Stars are 17-3-4 vs. the Oilers.
Statistical Tidbits
\The Oilers are 4-2-0 at home.
\The Stars are 2-4-2 on the road.
\The Stars are 2-0-1 vs. the Pacific Division.
\The Oilers are 2-0-0 vs. the Central Division.
\The Stars are 4-12 on the power play over the past three games.
\The Oilers are 4-11 on the power play over the past four games.
\The Oilers are 26-27 on the penalty kill over the past 11 games and rank third in the league on the PK at 90.2 percent.
\Edmonton's Connor McDavid is tied for second in the league with 17 points (5 goals, 12 assists).
*Dallas' Tyler Seguin is tied for eighth in the league in scoring with 15 points (7 goals, 8 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.
