• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Canucks-Stars Preview

Jan 2, 2010 - 3:06 AM By NICOLINO DIBENEDETTO STATS Writer

Vancouver (24-16-1) at Dallas (18-11-11), 2:00 p.m. EDT

Superb play at home is what's keeping the Dallas Stars in the thick of the Western Conference playoff race heading into the midway point of their season.

They'll try to sweep a three-game homestand - and post their longest winning streak of the season - as they face the surging Vancouver Canucks on Saturday.

The Stars (18-11-11) haven't put together more than back-to-back wins this season, but are a solid 11-4-5 at American Airlines Center.

They improved to 8-1-2 in their last 11 at there after beating Anaheim 5-3 on Thursday. That followed Tuesday's 5-4 victory over Central Division-leading Chicago to open the home stretch.

While Dallas is playing well at home, it's 7-7-6 on the road after dropping seven of eight (1-4-3). Following this game, the Stars will begin a stretch of five of six on the road, starting with a visit to Atlantic-leading New Jersey on Tuesday night.

Until then, they'll try to post their first three-game winning streak since a five-game run from Jan. 21-Feb. 3.

Dallas has won nine of the last 11 home meetings with the Canucks after beating them 2-1 on Nov. 6, while falling 4-3 in a shootout at Vancouver in the only other meeting Oct. 11.

With 47 points, the Stars are in ninth place in the Western Conference, but two points behind Vancouver and Los Angeles, which are tied for seventh.

"We need to put some wins in the bank," said center Brad Richards, who has a goal and four assists over the last two games. "It's going to be a fight right to the end."

Loui Eriksson has been outstanding of late with seven goals and nine assists over the last 11 games. That includes five goals and four assists in five home contests, and he recorded his second career hat trick in the win over the division-rival Ducks.

Eriksson is one of four Stars headed to next month's Olympics. He was named to Sweden's roster Sunday, and left wing Brenden Morrow (Canada), right wing Jere Lehtinen (Finland) and defenseman Karlis Skrastins (Latvia) will also be headed to Vancouver.

The Canucks, who are 8-2-1 in their last 11, will also be well represented at the Olympics with seven players competing for six countries.

Three of those Olympians helped Vancouver score four unanswered goals Thursday to win 4-3 in overtime at St. Louis. Germany's Christian Ehrhoff scored the game-winner, and Sweden's Henrik Sedin helped the Canucks get at least a point by scoring with 1:56 to play in regulation after twin brother Daniel started the rally late in the second period.

"To be where we were and come back from a three-goal deficit and win in OT for our confidence and believing in ourselves is real good," coach Alain Vigneault said.

The Sedins have been red-hot over the last 11 games, combining for 12 goals and 21 assists. Henrik leads the Canucks (24-16-1) with 19 goals and 53 points, while Daniel has 10 and 29, respectively.

Roberto Luongo will likely be in net again after stopping 22 shots Thursday, one day after being named to Canada's roster.

He's started each of the last 11 games, going 8-2-1 with a 1.99 goals-against average. He's also won his last four games against Dallas while posting a 2.45 GAA.