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Stars struggling to stop opposition

Oct 31, 2008 - 10:52 AM Dallas (4-4-2) at Chicago (3-3-3) 8:30 p.m. EDT

CHICAGO (Ticker) -- The Dallas Stars are having no trouble scoring. Stopping their opponents from netting goals, on the other hand, has proven to be a difficult task.

The Stars will try to limit the offense of the Chicago Blackhawks when the teams meet at the United Center on Friday.

Dallas ranks eighth in the NHL with an average of 3.2 goals per game and has scored a total of 32 tallies - the fifth-most in the league.

However, the Stars have allowed an average of four goals per game and 40 overall, ranking last in both categories. A huge part of the team's struggles has been the play of Marty Turco, who has surrendered three tallies or more in all but one of his nine starts.

Turco is the only goalie in the NHL with a goals-against average higher than 4.00, ranking 35th at 4.26. His .842 save percentage is only better than Fredrik Norrena of the Columbus Blue Jackets, who owns an .833 mark and is only getting regular playing time because starter Pascal Leclaire is on injured reserve with a sprained ankle.

Dallas decided to start backup Tobias Stephan in place of Turco on Wednesday. It proved to be the right move as the 24-year-old made 21 saves en route to a 4-2 victory, handing the Minnesota Wild their first regulation loss.

The Stars may want Stephan to make his second start of the season against the Blackhawks, who have scored seven goals over their last two games - both losses.

Dallas will have to keep a close eye on Patrick Sharp, who leads Chicago with six goals and 12 points. The 26-year-old has scored four times in his last four games.