Stars-Red Wings Preview

Detroit Red Wings at Dallas Stars
Thursday, January 12
7:30 p.m.
TV: Fox Sports Southwest Plus
Radio: The Ticket 1310 AM/96.7 FM
About the Stars
The Stars (17-17-8) lost 2-0 at Anaheim Tuesday. Stars goaltender Antti Niemi was sharp in goal, stopping 36 shots but the Stars couldn't crack Ducks goaltender John Gibson, who turned away 34 shots to hand the Stars their fourth shutout loss of the season.
"Scoring chances both ways were pretty low tonight. I think both teams played a pretty tight game," said Stars center Jason Spezza. "When you're on a back-to-back, the special teams decide it, and we didn't get a power-play goal, and they did."
The Stars, who had won in Los Angeles the night before, finished their three-game road trip with a 1-2-0 record.
Defenseman Jamie Oleksiak left Tuesday's game with a hand injury in the second period and is expected to miss some time. RW Patrick Eaves left the game after getting checked into an open door at the bench, but he is expected to be OK, according to Stars coach Lindy Ruff. Dallas captain Jamie Benn (foot) skated with the team during the road trip but remains day to day.
Thursday's game kicks off a two-game homestand for the Stars.
Injuries: LW Jamie Benn (foot) is day to day. D Jamie Oleksiak (hand) is out. C/LW Mattias Janmark (knee) and RW Ales Hemsky (hip) are on injured reserve.

About the Red Wings
The Red Wings (17-18-6) are coming off a 4-3 overtime loss at Chicago on Tuesday. The Red Wings overcame 2-0 and 3-2 deficits in the game to get to overtime, but Chicago's Duncan Keith scored on the power play 38 seconds into the extra period.
"We played OK," Red Wings captain Henrik Zetterberg said. "I thought we did a lot of good things. Now we've just got to do it again. I think that's the situation we are in right now. We have to continue to get points."
The Red Wings lost for the fourth time in their past five games (1-3-1).
The Red Wings practiced at American Airlines Center Wednesday. Forward Tomas Tartar didn't skate but is expected to play Thursday.
Thursday's game wraps up a stretch of seven straight games on the road for Detroit.
Injuries: F Darren Helm (shoulder), D Niklas Kronwall (lower body), D Brendan Smith (knee) and G Jimmy Howard (knee) are on injured reserve.
Season Series
\This is the second and final meeting of the season between the Stars and Red Wings.
\The Red Wings won the first meeting, 3-1, in Detroit on Nov. 29
\The Red Wings have won seven straight games in Dallas.
\The last time the Stars beat Detroit in Dallas was Oct. 14, 2010
Statistical Tidbits
\The Stars are 11-6-4 at home.
\The Red Wings are 10-6-3 on the road.
\The Stars are 1-6-3 vs. the Eastern Conference including 0-2-1 against the Atlantic Division.
\The Red Wings are 8-7-1 vs. the Western Conference including 4-1-1 against the Central Division.
\The Red Wings are 0-15 on the power play over their past six games and rank 30th in the NHL on the power play at 11.1 percent.
\The Stars have allowed nine power-play goals in their past five games and are 6-15 (40.0 percent) on the penalty kill during that stretch. The Stars rank 29th on the penalty kill at 74.3 percent.
\The Red Wings have allowed four goals or more in eight of their past 12 games.
\The Stars have scored three goals more in eight of their past 12 games.
\Tyler Seguin leads the Stars in scoring with 41 points (15 goals, 26 assists).
\Henrik Zetterberg leads the Red Wings in scoring with 28 points (7 goals, 21 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.