DETROIT -- Following a huge comeback win Thursday in Buffalo, the Stars are looking to come away with two more points Friday against the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena.
As farfetched as it might sound - with it being January and the season not yet half done - the Stars are on a four-game road trip that could very well determine the fate of their 2021-22 campaign. They entered Thursday's contest mired in a three-game losing streak and hadn't won in seven consecutive games away from American Airlines Center.
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What unfolded, however, was a comeback victory that showcased the Stars' resilience despite the less-than-perfect performance.
The Stars face a Red Wings team that's been strong on home ice. Detroit comes in with a 13-6-2 mark at Little Caesars Arena and has two consecutive wins under its belt (both ironically against the Sabres). This is the opener of a back-to-back for them, as they'll travel to Nashville to face the Predators on Saturday.
On Wednesday the Wings claimed former Stars 2012 fourth-round pick Gemel Smith off waivers from Tampa Bay. The 27-year-old forward had three assists in five games with the Lightning last season but has yet to play this season due to abdominal surgery. Red Wings head coach Jeff Blashill said Thursday that Smith has received medical clearance and could be an option against the Stars.
Leading the Red Wings in scoring this season is Dylan Larkin, who was recently named to his second All-Star Game. The 25-year-old center paces the club in points (36) and co-leads in goals (18) with Tyler Bertuzzi. Larkin has four points (two goals, two assists) in his past two games and 14 (eight goals, six assists) in his previous 11.
Lucas Raymond ranks second among rookies in goals (11) and assists (21), leads in points (32), co-leads in power-play goals (3) and ranks third in shots (81). On Jan. 9 in Anaheim, the 2020 fourth overall pick recorded his 20th assist of the season in his 36th contest, requiring the fewest games among teenagers to reach the mark with Detroit. (He eclipsed Steve Yzerman, who did it in 39 games).
This is the second and final meeting of the season between the Stars and Red Wings. Dallas took the opener by a 5-2 score on Nov. 16 at American Airlines Center. Jason Robertson led the team with two goals and three points, while Jake Oettinger turned aside 28 of 30 shots.
The Stars enter Friday's game with wins in each of their previous two against Detroit, five in their past six (5-1-0) and eight of their past 10 overall (8-2-0). Last season, the Stars posted a 2-2-0 record against the Wings at Little Caesars Arena.
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club.
Kyle Shohara is the Digital Manager for DallasStars.com and writes about the Stars/NHL. Follow him on Twitter @kyleshohara.
