Gameday Preview: Stars v. Grand Rapids Griffins, Game 6

Texas Stars 48-18-3-7, 106 pts #1 Western Conference

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Grand Rapids Griffins 46-23-2-5, 99 pts #4 Western Conference

Texas leads 3-2

May 18th at 7:00 PM

Cedar Park Center, Cedar Park, TX

UPDATES: Brett Ritchie practiced today and could play tonight. Justin Dowling did not practice and will not play. Jack Campbell also did not practice. Josh Robinson will back up Cristopher Nilstorp.

Since they last played in Cedar Park, the injury list has grown for the Texas Stars. However, luckily, so has their win count in the series against Grand Rapids. Either way, one team has a chance to clinch in a Game 6. Given the strength that the Griffins showed in Michigan, Texas is pretty fortunate that that team is them and not the visitors.

We will know more about possible lineup changes this morning at/after morning skate and I will update this post with that information once it is clearer (see above). Until then, all we can say is that Jack Campbell and Justin Dowling both left Game 5. Campbell appeared to have a soft tissue issue, as he was ont he ice with Brad Jellis stretching in an attempt to get back into the game right after his injury. Dowling's appears to be a head injury. He was hit late behind the play by Jordin Tootoo in the first period.

Toby Petersen did not play in Game 5 at all. He was injured in Game 4 and was in a walking cast on Friday night. Derek Hulak figured into his first playoff game in his place. That's good news for the ATO forward, who had been injured at the end of the season.

Kevin Henderson
(Credit: Mark Newman)

If that set of players cannot play, you would have to figure that Taylor Peters or Taylor Vause jumps into the lineup at center. Josh Robinson, recently recalled from Idaho, will backup Cristopher Nilstorp in his regularly scheduled start. The Stars will worry about what comes next, whether that's Game 7 of this series or Game 1 against Toronto, after the final whistle blows tonight.

The Stars outscored Grand Rapids 9-2 in two games here prior. Part of that advantage was Texas' strong transition game, aided by last change giving them solid matchups against the Griffins' forward sets. The Stars believe that they have the team speed to get behind the Griffins' defense at times and keep them on their heels.

Stars injury/call up report:
Petersen, Dowling, Campbell, Ritchie, Klingberg (injury)

Website: griffinshockey.com
Twitter: @GriffinsHockey
Blog: Griffins Hockey on MLive.com