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Bruins-Stars Preview

Oct 16, 2009 - 12:44 AM By MIKE LIPKA STATS Writer

Boston (2-3-0) at Dallas (2-0-3), 8:30 p.m. EDT

After the Boston Bruins won more than 70 percent of their home games last season, it seems strange that they're suddenly clinging to hope that a road trip may help solve their early problems.

Opening their road schedule in Dallas on Friday night likely won't be a positive, however, as the Stars look to continue their hot start and remain the Western Conference's only club without a regulation loss.

Through their first five games - all at home, where they were 29-6-6 in 2008-09 - the Bruins (2-3-0) have lacked the consistency that made them the East's top seed last season.

Among Boston's problems have been a spotty defense that has allowed four or more goals in all three losses and a mostly absent power play. Aside from a 4-for-8 performance in a 7-2 win over Carolina on Oct. 3, the Bruins are 0 for 21 with the man advantage.

"I can't get in their heads," coach Claude Julien said. "There's a time where you're working hard and getting chances, looking like the old team, and then you shoot yourselves in the foot."

They've had ample time to think about their latest defeat, 4-3 to Colorado on Monday that capped their homestand. Boston wasn't as good on the road last season, going 24-13-4, but Julien said this trip may actually be beneficial as the Bruins are the final NHL team to open its road slate.

"It is a chance to spend more time together in an environment where guys are totally focused on hockey, no other distractions or obligations," Julien told the Bruins' official Web site.

The team will likely have enough to worry about as it tries to contain Dallas' resurgent offense, which has quickly blossomed in coach Marc Crawford's first few games with the team. Last season, the Stars ranked 20th in the league in goals and missed the playoffs for the third time since moving to Dallas in 1993.

Led by center Brad Richards, who has at least a point in each game and nine total, Dallas (2-0-3) has averaged 4.0 goals in its first five games, tied with Atlanta and the New York Rangers for the league lead.

The Stars scored four goals in the first nine minutes of a 6-0 win over Nashville on Wednesday, with Loui Eriksson and Brenden Morrow each potting two.

"We've got guys that are pretty confident right now, coming off real good years," Morrow told the Stars' official Web site, "and the system is directing a lot of pucks at the net and crashing and banging and so far we're being rewarded and we're seeing results from it."

It's unclear who will be in net for Boston after backup goalie Tuukka Rask played the last two games in place of reigning Vezina Trophy winner Tim Thomas. Thomas was 1-2-0 with a 4.01 goals-against average in his first three starts, but has a 1-0-1 record and 0.97 GAA in two career starts against Dallas.

Boston will be without one of its top defensemen as Dennis Wideman did not make the trip due to an upper-body injury.

Marty Turco will likely be back in net for Dallas as he tries to build off a 29-save effort for his first shutout of the season.

Turco is 4-2-0 with a 1.49 GAA in six career starts against Boston. The only time the Bruins have scored more than once on Turco was last Nov. 1, when the Stars lost 5-1 in Boston.