Gameday Preview: Stars v. Chicago Wolves, Game 4

Texas Stars
46-27-3-4, 99 pts
#2 West Division
v.Chicago Wolves
49-24-1-6, 105 pts
#1 West Division
Wolves lead 2-1

May 5th at 7:30 PM
Cedar Park Center, Cedar Park, TX

Can you say 'must-win'? Your Texas Stars are down 2-1 in their best of seven series against the Wolves and now play their second game in as many nights. If the Wolves win, the series will be 3-1 in their favor, and Texas will have to win all the remaining games in order to advance. With a Texas win, it'll be 2-2 with one more home game for Texas on Friday.

Last night in the room, there was one overarching mantra: "penalties". Texas took too many dumb ones in last night's games. There is a difference between a smart penalty and a dumb one, and Texas took too many of the latter. A smart penalty is hooking a guy with a breakaway or slashing someone who has a clean shot at an empty net. Dumb penalties are taking consecutive delay of game penalties or a cross-checking penalty when you're already down 5-on-4. If Texas is more disciplined tonight, they can play a tighter game and play the game they want.

Despite Krahn's 4 goals in 40 minutes performance last night, he is still the #2 tender in the league with a 2.21 GAA and .930 SV%. Krahn can't do it all on his own and needs helps from the team to not take those penalties and make sure the shot count is reasonable. Krahn saw 22 shots through two periods compared to 13 for Chicago's Peter Mannino. Texas did better on shots in the third period at an impressive 17-6. The Stars also did not go on the penalty kill in the 3rd period. It's not a coincidence.

Stars injury/call up report:
Garrett Stafford (suspension, game 2 of 3)

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