Stars-Penguins Preview

Dallas Stars at Pittsburgh Penguins
Thursday, December 1
6:00 p.m.
TV: Fox Sports Southwest Plus
Radio: The Ticket 1310 AM/96.7 FM
About the Stars
The Stars (9-9-6) are coming off a 3-1 loss at Detroit on Tuesday. The Stars were 0-5 on the power play while the Red Wings scored on two of their four opportunities with the man-advantage.
"They got two [on the power play], and we got none, and that's the game," said Stars center Jason Spezza. "On the road, you've got to win the special teams battle."
Although the Stars came up short on special teams, coach Lindy Ruff saw a lot of good things in the game, and said he needs to push the team to see more of the same.
"It was probably the first game we took care of the game defensively and pushed the game our direction offensively in a consistent basis," Ruff said Wednesday. "We didn't execute. Away from the puck, we can win games if we can play like that.
"I am pushing hard. I told them I have to do a better job with them. I've got to hold them more accountable. The meeting we had before the game, I said I have to do a better job of getting [the team] in a better mindset of outworking [the opposition], out tracking them, out backchecking them and not giving up rush chances, not giving up breakaways. That's my responsibility. I've let too many guys off the hook."
Stars defenseman Stephen Johns left Tuesday's game late in the third period after a collision with Detroit forward Henrik Zetterberg. Johns went through concussion protocol and was cleared.
The Stars, who are in the middle of a stretch of four games in six nights, worked out off the ice Wednesday in Pittsburgh.
Thursday's game is the third of a four-game road trip for the Stars, who are 0-1-1 in the first two.
Injuries: D Johnny Oduya (lower body), RW Jiri Hudler (illness), C/LW Mattias Janmark (knee) and RW Ales Hemsky (hip) are on injured reserve.

About the Penguins
The Penguins (13-7-3) lost 5-3 to the New York Islanders in Brooklyn Wednesday night. The Penguins trailed 3-0 after two periods, rallied to tie in the third period, but Anders Lee scored the game-winner with 26.6 seconds remaining.
"We found ourselves down three, and we responded in the third, played well," said forward Matt Cullen. "It would have been nice to get that into overtime and at least get the point and try for two. It's a frustrating one."
The loss was the fourth in the past six games (2-3-1) for the Penguins. Since starting the season 9-2-2, the Penguins are 4-5-1 in their past ten games.
Forward Patric Hornqvist, who had missed the previous six games due to a concussion, returned to the Penguins lineup Wednesday.
Thursday's game begins a three-game homestand for Pittsburgh.
Injuries: F Chris Kunitz (lower body) is on injured reserve.
Season Series
\This is the first of two meetings between the Stars and Penguins this season.
\The Stars were 2-0-0 against Pittsburgh last season with both wins coming in October.
\The Stars have won four straight games against Pittsburgh.
Statistical Tidbits
\The Stars are 3-6-4 on the road.
\Pittsburgh is 8-2-1 at home.
\The Stars are 0-2-2 vs. the Eastern Conference including 0-1-2 against the Metropolitan Division.
\The Penguins are 5-3-2 vs. the Western Conference including 0-3-1 vs. the Central Division.
\The Stars are 10-15 on the penalty kill in their past four road games and rank 30th on the road in penalty killing at 67.4 percent.
\The Penguins rank fourth in the NHL on the power play at home at 28.2 percent.
\The Penguins are 0-16 on the power play in their past five games.
\The Stars are 1-13 on the power play in their past five games.
\Stars defenseman Jamie Oleksiak has registered 4 points (3 goals, 1 assist) over the past 5 games.
\Stars forward Tyler Seguin ranks fourth in the NHL in scoring with 24 points (7 goals, 17 assists).
\Pittsburgh captain Sidney Crosby leads the NHL with 15 goals.
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.