The Dallas Stars are starting to rack up points in their bid to keep pace in a competitive Central Division race, and their hot streak coincides with the start of a road-heavy portion of their schedule.
The Stars seek a season-high fifth straight win Tuesday night when they visit the New York Rangers in the opener of a five-game road trip.
As it enters its longest continuous road trip this season, Dallas is on its second four-game winning streak this season and is 5-0-1 in its past six games, representing its longest point streak this season. The Stars are peaking as they attempt to make up a seven-point deficit with the Winnipeg Jets in the Central.
The Stars will get ample opportunities to make up the gap since their 38 games are three fewer than the Jets have played, and this trip features four teams currently out of playoff contention before ending with a visit to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Jan. 14.
Dallas is heading to New York after ending a stretch of 10 out of 12 games on home ice with Saturday’s 3-2 overtime win over the visiting Utah Hockey Club. Thomas Harley scored the game-winner 3:01 into the extra period after the Stars allowed a pair of tying goals in the second period.
“It was huge,” said Jamie Benn, who gave Dallas a 1-0 lead early in the second. “We want to get two (points) every night here, even when we aren’t playing our best. It was nice to get two before we get on the road.”
Dallas has allowed 95 goals, tied with the Los Angeles Kings for fewest in the NHL.
The Rangers are attempting to earn consecutive wins for the first time since winning three straight Nov. 14-19 during a 12-4-1 start. New York is 6-16-0 since that streak, though one of those victories was a 3-1 win at Dallas on Dec. 20.
The Rangers were outscored 19-6 in a four-game skid after beating the Stars. They’re returning home after Sunday’s 6-2 rout of the Chicago Blackhawks.
New York scored at least five goals for the seventh time and netted its most goals since a 7-2 rout at Montreal on Oct. 22. A day after a 7-4 setback in Washington, 12 Rangers registered at least a point while Filip Chytil scored twice and rookie Brett Berard set up both of his goals.
Chris Kreider, who missed three games with back spasms in November, sat out Sunday with an upper-body injury and could be out again Tuesday. Jonny Brodzinski replaced Kreider and scored the tying goal in the first period before the Rangers scored another four goals in a row.
“It was a pretty good game for us; I liked the response after we went down 1-0,” New York coach Peter Laviolette said. “You play the day before. You travel in here. You get down 1-0 early. I like the response the rest of the first period. Really good.”
Louis Domingue made 25 saves after Jonathan Quick started the previous two games in place of Igor Shesterkin.
Shesterkin was placed on injured reserve on Dec. 31 with an upper-body injury sustained in a 5-3 loss at Florida the previous night, and if he does not return Tuesday when first eligible, Quick will likely get the start and a second attempt at his 400th career win.
