StarPoints For 2/6 vs Phoenix

1.)  Tonight’s matchup is the fourth head-to-head matchup between Dallas and Phoenix this season, and the second in the last seven days. The Coyotes have won each of the previous three games, including a 4-2 win Sunday at American Airlines Center. Because of the two-week Olympic Break at the end of February, tonight is the last time the Stars will play at home until March 2. (CLICK FOR TICKETS)
 
2.)  The Stars have engaged in some physical games lately, and with a Phoenix team that has had the Stars’ number this season, expect some fireworks. Dallas has four players in the top-25 in hits, including Steve Ott and Stephane Robidas, who are tied for fourth in the NHL with 190 apiece.

3.)  Brad Richards is having a career year offensively, with 61 points in 55 games. The 29-year-old center has scored in all but five of the Stars’ 28 games at AAC this season, and is tied for third in the NHL with 26 points (7-19-26) on the power play. Richards has helped his linemates, James Neal and Loui Eriksson, establish new career-highs. Neal already has 40 points this season, surpassing his total from last season, and he is two goals away from his rookie total of 24. Eriksson already has a new career-high with 30 assists, and is 12 points away from his career-high of 63, which he set in 2008-09.
 
4.)  Marty Turco has provided the Stars with strong goaltending lately, after a stretch in the second half of January where he played in only two out of eight games. Turco won Tuesday’s game against Minnesota, stopping 40 of 42 shots, and then made 23 saves on 24 shots in Thursday’s game at Columbus. The franchise’s career leader in wins, minutes played and shutouts is five games away from his 500th career game, all with the Stars.
 
5.)  One to watch for:  Coyotes forward Shane Doan was named the game’s first star in Sunday’s game, scoring a goal and two assists. Doan, in his 14th NHL season, has 26 goals and 31 assists in his career against the Stars, all while playing with the Winnipeg/Phoenix franchise. The veteran of over 1000 NHL games has played more games against Dallas (78) than against any other team in the league.