Stars-Predators Preview

Nashville Predators at Dallas Stars
Thursday, December 8
7:30 p.m.
TV: Fox Sports Southwest
Radio: The Ticket 1310 AM/96.7 FM
About the Stars
The Stars (10-11-6) lost 2-1 to Calgary at American Airlines Center Tuesday. The Stars led 1-0 after one period but gave up four breakaways, including a 2-on-0 in the second period when the Flames scored to tie. Calgary won the game on a power-play goal in the third.
"It was just puck management again," said Stars coach Lindy Ruff. "We're not playing a 60-minute game, and we haven't for this first part of the season. It's been 40 out of 60, 20 out of 60. The disappointing part is we put together probably our best 60-minute effort [Saturday at Colorado], and we followed it up with a real solid 20 minutes and probably played our worst 20 minutes in the second period. We had changes that gave them breakaways. We had just ill-advised passes, tough decisions, tough puck decisions that are flat out not good plays."
The Stars, who have won consecutive games just once this season, fell to 1-6-3 in games following a win.
Stars defensemen Julius Honka left Tuesday's game in the second period with an upper-body injury and did not return. He is out for Thursday. Ruff said Honka probably will miss a couple of games.
RW Jiri Hudler (illness) and D Johnny Oduya (lower body) both went through a full practice on Wednesday. Hudler is questionable for Thursday and Oduya is doubtful.
Thursday's game wraps up a two-game homestand for Dallas.
Injuries: RW Jiri Hudler (illness) is questionable. D Johnny Oduya (lower body) is doubtful. D Julius Honka (upper body) is out. RW Patrick Sharp (concussion-like symptoms), C/LW Mattias Janmark (knee) and RW Ales Hemsky (hip) are on injured reserve.

About the Predators
The Predators (12-9-4) snapped a two-game losing streak with a 4-3 win over Colorado in Nashville on Tuesday. Roman Josi's power-play goal 1:04 into the third period snapped a 3-3 tie and held up as the game-winner for Nashville.
"These are the wins we need," Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne said. "We need to shut teams down at the end of the games. Even the last few seconds when we took a penalty, the team did a really good job. That was a good win. These are big points for us."
Forward James Neal returned to the lineup after missing the previous four games with an upper-body injury and scored for the Predators.
Thursday's game is the first of two straight on the road for Nashville.
Injuries: D Anthony Bitetto (upper body), D Ryan Ellis (upper body), F Miikka Salomaki (lower body) and F Colton Sissons (upper body) are on injured reserve.
Season Series
\This is the third of five meetings between the two teams.
\The Stars are 1-1-0 in the season series.
\Oct. 18, at Nashville: Stars 2, Predators 1
\Nov. 23, at Nashville: Predators 5, Stars 2
Statistical Tidbits
\The Stars are 6-4-2 at home.
\The Predators are 3-7-2 on the road.
\The Stars are 6-6-2 vs. the Central Division.
\The Predators are 7-4-0 vs. the Central.
\The Stars have scored 7 goals in their past 4 games.
\The Predators have allowed 15 goals in their past 4 games.
\Nashville has allowed 5 power play goals over the past 3 games and is 1-16 on the power play over the past 5 games.
\The Stars have been outscored 47-38 in 5-on-5 play this season.
\Nashville has outscored the opposition 51-41 in 5-on-5 play.
\Forward Tyler Seguin leads the Stars in scoring with 27 points (9 goals, 18 assists).
*Forward James Neal leads the Predators in scoring with 16 points (11 goals, 5 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.