Stars-Panthers Preview

Florida Panthers at Dallas Stars
Saturday, December 31
7:00 p.m.
TV: Fox Sports Southwest
Radio: The Ticket 1310 AM/96.7 FM
About the Stars
The Stars (16-14-7) are coming off a 4-2 win over Colorado Thursday at American Airlines Center. Tyler Seguin scored two goals and assisted on one as the Stars put together their first three-game winning streak of the season.
"It's something that we have been needing," Seguin said. "It's obviously not enough yet, but I would say the last ten games we have been going in the right direction and finding more consistent play in how we've defended, and it's nice when goals go in, so we want to keep it going."
The Stars have points in five straight games (4-0-1) and are 5-1-1 in their past seven games.
Stars goaltender Kari Lehtonen, who left Thursday's game in the third period after being hit by Colorado's Jarome Iginla, practiced Friday and is fine. Lehtonen left the game due to league-mandated concussion protocol.
"He's 100 percent," Stars coach Lindy Ruff said.
Forward Patrick Sharp, who has missed the past 12 games with a concussion, is ready to return to the lineup.
"Sharp is cleared to go and indicated that he's up and ready to play," said Ruff. "So for me, an opportunity to get him in there tomorrow."
Saturday's game is the second of a three-game homestand for the Stars.
Injuries: RW Patrick Sharp (concussion) is probable. LW Antoine Roussel (upper body), C/LW Mattias Janmark (knee) and RW Ales Hemsky (hip) are on injured reserve.

About the Panthers
The Panthers (15-14-8) lost 3-2 in overtime at home to Montreal Thursday. Montreal's Brendan Gallagher tied the game with 2:37 left in regulation and Phillip Danault scored 39 seconds into overtime to give the Canadiens the victory.
"We've just got to learn how to close out games as a team," Panthers forward Vincent Trocheck said. "We're sitting back too much once we get leads. We play our game up until we get a lead, and then we get back on our heels. Anytime you do that.**