Stars look to continue resurgence against Canucks

In late December, Dallas Stars president Jim Lites ripped the team, contending that captain Jamie Benn and talented forward Tyler Seguin were not living up to expectations.

As the end of the NHL regular season approaches, it could still be argued that Benn is still not playing like his old self. His production is well below career-long levels. But Seguin and the rest of the Stars are getting the job done.

Heading into Sunday's home game against the Vancouver Canucks, the Stars have a firm hold on a playoff spot -- something they did not have when Lites lit into the club. Dallas has won eight of its past 12 games and appears destined to finish either third in the Central Division or with a Western Conference wild-card berth.

A higher standing in the Central is also a possibility, depending on whether the Stars can continue their impressive run.

"It's been getting more and more intense," Stars coach Jim Montgomery told reporters We're handling that part. The mental part has been impressive."

The Stars are coming off a 2-1 loss to Vegas on Friday night when they unleashed 41 shots but fell victim to the hot play of goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury. Dallas has also been getting strong goaltending.

Starter Ben Bishop has posted three consecutive shutouts in the latest full games in which he has appeared. But Bishop suffered an undisclosed lower-body injury in Thursday's win over Minnesota.

He was in contention for his fourth straight shutout but left the game in the second period and did not suit up for Friday's game against Vegas.

However, Montgomery indicated that Bishop, who now has a club-record shutout streak of 230:53, left Thursday's game and remained in street clothes Friday for precautionary reasons.

"I think he's being smart," Montgomery told reporters. "He's trying to make sure it doesn't become a two-week thing."

Anton Khudobin is expected start in goal against the Canucks. But with the Stars playing their third game in four nights, minor league callup Landon Bow could get some consideration as the starter. Bow has appeared with Dallas in two games this season, but did not get a decision in either one.

The Stars, who have been playing well despite a rash of injuries, do not have many gripes these days, but they would like to end their habit of being involved in low-scoring games. They also hope to fare better on the power play against Vancouver after being blanked on five man-advantage opportunities against Vegas.

"When you have five, you've got to get one," forward Jason Spezza told reporters.

Meanwhile, the Canucks continue to be haunted by injuries. Veteran defenseman Chris Tanev was lost for the season Friday when he took a Kyle Palmieri shot off the ankle in a 3-2 loss to New Jersey.

After the game, Canucks coach Travis Green confirmed that Tanev will miss the rest of the campaign. Tanev was playing only his second game after missing a month with a sprained ankle.

"He's a good guy, good player, and a guy we need in our team," goaltender Jacob Markstrom told reporters. "That guy's luck is unbelievable. Pretty much every injury he's had has been blocking shots from one-timers. You would think after breaking three or four hands, three or four legs and feet ... he gets out there and has no fear."

The Canucks, who are destined to miss the playoffs and trying to shore up a rebuilding effort in the final stretch of the season, are looking for a better result after squandering a 2-0 lead against the Devils and losing in a shootout. Markstrom wants his club, which has a habit of giving up early leads to prove that it can retain the lead when it has one and win tight games more often.

"You want to close those games out," Markstrom said. "We have to keep building, getting better as a team and close those games out."

Defenseman Alex Biega said the Canucks have to display better "game management" and reduce the pressure on Markstrom, who has been sharp most of the season but not been rewarded for his efforts.

"It seems like every game, no matter whether we win or lose, Marky makes unbelievable saves," Biega told reporters. "We can't always ask our goaltender to stand on his head every game. We have to help out."

--Field Level Media