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Stars try to build momentum vs. skidding Oilers

Nov 25, 2014 - 4:05 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - The Edmonton Oilers made a coaching change ahead of Tuesday night's matchup with the Dallas Stars, though it probably wasn't the one that fans have been calling for.

Following a winless homestand, the Oilers try to snap a season-high six-game slide as they take on a Stars club that is aiming to stay on track on home ice.

The Oilers are 0-5-1 in their past six games and failed to record a victory over a recent five-game stay at home, capping the residency with a 7-1 setback to the Chicago Blackhawks.

David Perron scored the only goal of the game for the Oilers, while Ben Scrivens was tagged for five goals on 13 shots in a little over one period of work. Viktor Fasth made 15 saves on 17 shots faced in relief.

Players and fans are obviously frustrated by the club's performance thus far, with the Oilers 6-13-2 on the season, but Perron deflected the blame off head coach Dallas Eakins.

"It would be so unfair for our coach to get the blame for this," said Perron. "When we do well he gets none of the credit for it, but when we play like this people want to try and say it's his fault. That's not the case at all."

Still, Edmonton is in danger of losing seven in a row for the first time since an 11-game skid from March 8-31, 2011 and it did address its coaching staff on Monday by relieving goaltending coach Fred Chabot of his duties. He was replaced by Dustin Schwartz.

"It's a terrible day," said Scrivens on Monday. "Vik and I, we've chatted and we both feel terribly about what's happened. Neither of us will come out here and say that we're pleased with our performances so far this season. As an individual, I've got to elevate my game and I thought I was working hard to do that and still feel I'm on the right path but it's unfortunate.

"I take it personally that Freddy ... I guess, took responsibility for the work that Vik and I had done. The consequences basically ended up with him and whether that's fair or not, it something that happened. For Vik and I, we have to keep working hard and stop more pucks."

Scrivens is 4-9-1 on the season with a 3.35 goals against average and .887 save percentage, while Fasth is 2-4-1 with a 3.37 GAA and .890 save percentage.

It is unknown who will make the start tonight. Fasth is 2-1-0 with a 1.65 GAA and .932 save percentage in four games (3 starts) versus the Stars, while Scrivens gave up three goals on 32 shots in a loss the only time he faced Stars.

While the Oilers continue to struggle, the Stars have managed to win two straight at home for the first time this season. They improved to 3-5-4 as the host with Saturday's 5-4 win over the Los Angeles Kings.

Jamie Benn led the way with two goals and one assist, while Kari Lehtonen made 37 saves as the Stars nearly blew a four-goal lead. However, they held on to win for just the fourth time in 14 games.

Tyler Seguin and John Klingberg added a goal and an assist, while defenseman Jason Demers, recently acquired from San Jose for fellow blueliner Brenden Dillon, scored in his Dallas debut.

"We're really confident here lately," said Seguin, who leads the NHL with 15 goals. "There's been games there where we were down in the third and we didn't get it done, but we've come back a few times now and we're really building some momentum."

Dallas plays the fourth of a five-game homestand tonight and Lehtonen is likely to draw the start. He is 11-3-1 in his career versus the Oilers with a 2.06 GAA and .931 save percentage.

Stars forward Ryan Garbutt practiced on Monday and is in line to return to action tonight after missing three straight games with an upper-body injury.

The Stars have won six of their past eight at home versus the Oilers and 13 of the previous 16 encounters overall.