Stars-Panthers Preview

Dallas Stars at Florida Panthers
Saturday, March 4
6:00 p.m.
TV: Fox Sports Southwest
Radio: The Ticket 1310 AM/96.7 FM
About the Stars
The Stars (25-29-10) lost 5-4 to the New York Islanders at American Airlines Center Friday. The Stars had a 3-1 lead, but the Islanders scored four straight goals, including three in the third period, to take command of the game.
"I think we played well the first two periods and then we fell asleep in the third period, and we had three bad goals," said Stars center Radek Faksa. "That can't happen. We need to be ready every period, especially in the start. It can't happen next time."
The Stars ended a five-game homestand with a 3-2-0 record.
LW Antoine Roussel suffered a hand injury in Thursday's game and is expected to miss 6-8 weeks, which could put him out the rest of the season.
RW Ales Hemsky missed Friday's practice with a lower-body issue but is probable for Saturday.
The Stars recalled LW Remi Elie from the Texas Stars (AHL) Friday.
Saturday's game kicks off a two-game road trip for the Stars, who play 12 of their next 15 games away from home.
Injuries: RW Ales Hemsky (lower body) is probable. LW Antoine Roussel (hand) is out. RW/C Adam Cracknell (lower body) and C/LW Mattias Janmark (knee) are on injured reserve.

About the Panthers
The Panthers (29-23-11) lost 2-1 in a shootout at Philadelphia Thursday. Valtteri Filppula, who was making his Flyers debut, scored the game-tying goal midway through the third period and Jakub Voracek scored the winner in the shootout to hand the Panthers their fourth loss in the past five games (1-3-1).
"We battled hard for a point, and when it goes to shootout, it's kind of unfortunate that a game like that has to be decided in a shootout," Panthers goaltender James Reimer said. "But I think we worked hard, and it's a valuable point."
Reimer replaced starter Roberto Luongo after the first period. Luongo left the game with a lower-body injury and is expected to be out one week.
The Panthers recalled G Reto Berra from Springfield (AHL) on an emergency basis Friday morning.
The Panthers were one point out of the final playoff spot in the East through Thursday's games.
Saturday's game begins a three-game homestand for Florida.
Injuries: G Roberto Luongo (lower body) is out.
Season Series
\This is the second and final meeting of the season between the Stars and Panthers.
\Florida won the first meeting, 3-1, in Dallas on Dec. 31.
\The Stars are 4-1-0 in their past five games at Florida.
Statistical Tidbits
\The Stars are 7-18-4 on the road including six straight losses.
\The Panthers are 15-13-3 at home including 1-4-0 in their past five games.
\The Stars are 8-12-4 vs. the Eastern Conference including 4-6-1 against the Atlantic Division.
\The Panthers are 11-8-4 vs. the Western Conference including 6-2-2 against the Central Division.
\Florida is 20-20 on the penalty kill over the past nine games.
\The Stars are 8-31 (25.8 percent) on the power play over the past nine games.
\The Panthers have allowed two goals or fewer in six of their past eight games.
\The Stars have scored three goals or more in seven of their past nine games.
\Stars captain Jamie Benn is on a five-game points streak (four goals, three assists).
*Panthers forward Aleksander Barkov has scored seven goals in his past eleven games.
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.