StarPoints For 1/31 vs Phoenix

1.)  The Stars and Coyotes are meeting for the third time this season and first time at American Airlines Center. The Stars are 45-35-12 against Phoenix/Winnipeg since moving to Texas in 1993. Tonight’s game is the first of three matchups between Dallas and Phoenix over the next 14 days. The Coyotes return to AAC on Feb. 6 and March 21, and the teams play at Phoenix on Feb. 13. Phoenix has won both games so far in the season series.
 
2.)  Mike Modano has scored more points against the Phoenix/Winnipeg organization than any other club. He has recorded 37 goals and 56 assists for 93 points in 96 career games against the Coyotes/Jets. He will have an opportunity to add to that total tonight as he has seen more ice time due to the injuries of centers Mike Ribeiro (throat) and Tom Wandell (knee). Modano has registered seven points (6g, 1a) in his last eight games this season and had his first multi-goal game of the season on Friday against Colorado.

3.)  Former Stars head coach Dave Tippett will be making his first return to Dallas tonight since taking over in Phoenix. Tippett, who coached the Stars from the 2002-03 season through the 2008-09 season, led the Stars to a 271-156-65 record during his tenure as coach and took the Stars to the playoffs five out of six seasons, including a trip to the Western Conference Finals in 2008. Tippett is currently 2-0 against his former team.
 
4.)  Following wins over Calgary (Jan. 27) and Colorado (Jan. 29), the Stars are looking for their first three-game win streak of the season. Home ice advantage has been huge for the Stars this season, having won five consecutive home games and eight of their last nine at American Airlines Center. They have registered at least one point in 15 of their last 17 games on home ice (13-2-2), and in 19 of their last 22 (15-3-4).
 
5.)  One to watch for: Phoenix netminder Ilya Bryzgalov boasts a 9-5-2 record with a 2.10 goals against average through 20 career games against Dallas. Bryzgalov has had a solid season in net for the Coyotes and is sixth in the league in wins (28) and is tied for third in shutouts (5) through 47 games. He has collected both Phoenix wins against Dallas this season.