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Red Wings hope to stop slide vs. surging Stars

Feb 17, 2008 - 12:19 PM Detroit (41-14-5) at Dallas (36-21-5) 3:30 pm EST

DALLAS (Ticker) -- The rest of the NHL must be starting to smile because there appears to be a chink in the Detroit Red Wings' armour.

The Red Wings, who are 0-4-1 in their last five games, begin their five-game road trip against the rival Dallas Stars on Sunday afternoon in a battle of the two top clubs in the Western Conference.

The Stars, who have won eight of their last nine games, own the second-best record in the league and could be Detroit's biggest threat in the playoffs.

Defenseman Stephane Robidas scored two goals and set up another Friday in Dallas' 4-2 victory over the defending Stanley Cup champion Anaheim Ducks. The 30-year-old Robidas has six goals and 11 assists this season.

Detroit suffered a 5-1 setback Friday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. For the second time in as many games, All-Star goaltender Chris Osgood was relieved by rookie Jimmy Howard.

Osgood, who enter Friday's loss in second place behind injured teammate Dominik Hasek in goals-against average, has yielded seven goals in less than 40 minutes of play over his last two starts.