Gameday Preview: Texas Stars v. San Diego Gulls

Texas Stars
3-3-0-1, 7 pts, 0.500
#6 Pacific Division
v.San Diego Gulls
3-3-0-0, 6 pts, 0.500
#7 Pacific Division
October 27th at 7:30 PM
H-E-B Center at Cedar Park, Cedar Park, TX

Two weeks can make quite a difference. Texas came into the Valley View Casino Center two weeks ago with a 2-0 record, which they extended to 3-0 that night. On Saturday, the Stars would lose 5-1 and haven't won a game since. After starting with six points, the club has collected just one in the ensuing two weeks.
(Credit: Texas Stars)
So what's the issue?

One of the first places to look is the Stars' anemic power play. At just 11.5%, Texas has scored only three power play goals the entire season. Teams usually shoot for a combined power play and penalty kill percentage of 110. With Texas's 11.5 PP and 80% PK, they are falling far short on each individually and not getting the benefit of having one cover for the other. The Gulls, for example, are at 111, but it's due to their power play overperforming (23%) to cover for their weak penalty kill (77%).

So can Texas take advantage of facing one of the worst penalty kill teams in the league? Tonight will tell us more.

Stars injury/call up report:
Elie (call up)

Gulls Web Resources:
Website: sandiegogulls.com
Twitter: @SDGullsAHL
Twitter: @619sports (PBP)
Twitter: @danarelAHL

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