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Ducks try to build momentum in Dallas

Nov 26, 2013 - 3:45 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - The Anaheim Ducks hope to put a recent rough stretch behind them, as they shoot for a third straight win in Tuesday's road game against the Dallas Stars.

The Ducks were mired in their longest losing streak of the season, a five-game skid from Nov. 12-20, before posting recent wins over Tampa Bay and Phoenix. Anaheim ended the slide with Friday's 1-0 overtime win over the visiting Lightning and on the following night the Ducks dealt the Coyotes their first regulation loss in Phoenix this season.

Dustin Penner scored a pair of goals on Saturday to lead the Ducks to a 4-2 win over the Coyotes. Jonas Hiller also played a big part in the victory, turning aside 41 shot to improve his record to 9-3-2 on the season.

"Guys were blocking shots and we were putting in a lot of hard work," said Hiller. "That's what we needed tonight to get a bit of a winning streak going and now we have to keep it going."

Corey Perry and Sami Vatanen added one goal apiece for the Ducks, who had won five in a row prior to their recent five-game slide and are 7-3-2 in November.

Anaheim's victory on Saturday also halted a four-game road losing streak. The Ducks are 8-6-2 as the visiting team this season compared to a 9-0-1 mark on home ice.

The Ducks slammed Dallas by a 6-3 score when the clubs met on Oct. 20 in Anaheim. It was the fourth win for the Ducks in their last five meetings with the Stars. Anaheim also has won two straight in Dallas after dropping its previous four tilts in Big D.

The Stars are coming off their most lopsided loss of the season, as they were routed 6-1 this past Saturday in St. Louis. Brian Elliott stopped 34 shots for the Blues and six different St. Louis players hit the back of the net in the blowout.

The loss was the second in a row for Dallas, but only the club's third setback in nine outings.

Brenden Dillon produced the lone goal for the Stars. Kari Lehtonen started but didn't finish the contest, as he was pulled after surrendering five goals on 18 shots in 45:33 of game time. Dan Ellis finished up with six saves.

"There's so many things that make one game," said Lehtonen. "When you play 14 in a row you're going to have a bad one now and then. I just have to put this behind me."

Lehtonen expects to get back on the horse tonight. He is 9-7-3 with a 2.41 goals against average in 19 career games versus Anaheim. Hiller is 5-9-1 with a 2.78 GAA in 17 lifetime outings against the Stars.

The Stars could get a boost from the return of Ray Whitney tonight. The veteran winger has missed five straight games with a groin and is questionable for Tuesday's game.

The 41-year-old Whitney has one goal and seven assists in 17 games this season. He has recorded 17 goals and 48 points over 50 career games against the Ducks.

Dallas has only played eight of its 22 games this season on home ice, but is beginning a three-game stay at American Airlines Center tonight. The Stars, who are 3-3-2 as the host, also will welcome Chicago and Edmonton before closing this homestand.