Gameday Preview: Stars v. Houston Aeros

Texas Stars 43-20-5-6, 97 pts #1 Western Conference

v.

Houston Aeros 38-25-5-5, 86 pts #5 Western Conference

April 19th at 7:30 PM

Cedar Park Center, Cedar Park, TX

Despite holding on to the five seed for quite a while now, the Iowa Wild Houston Aeros are still not technically in the playoffs yet. They can change that with a win against the Stars tonight in Cedar Park. Texas, meanwhile, can lock up the first overall seed in the Western Conference with at least a point against the Aeros.

There's no love lost between these two clubs, as Mathieu Tousignant and Carson McMillan demonstrate in a bout from the 2010-11 season. (Credit: Houston Aeros)

Each club has something to fight for tonight, and it should be a battle. Both of these clubs look to be playoff bound on the upswing. The Aeros have won five of their last six despite the rotation of goaltenders that they have going after the recall of Darcy Kuemper and trade of Matt Hackett. Journeyman Jeff Deslauriers, who you may remember from his time with the Barons in their inaugural season, played two games and then got injured. That is apparently, a predictable occurrence in Houston, as T3I reported.

To fill the gap, they signed Mike Condon, who started and won his first two pro games last week. However, he likely won't face Texas tonight. Josh Harding is down from Minnesota on a conditioning assignment and is expected to start two of the Aeros' games this weekend. What a better way to get him back into shape than a game against number one Texas.

Also on the radar for Texas should be Mathew Dumba. The Wild first-round pick defenseman was just signed on an ATO after completing his WHL career with the Red Deer Rebels. Dumba was the seventh overall pick in 2012, just six ahead of the Texas Stars' Radek Faksa. It's unclear if either plays, but it wouldn't be surprising.

Finally, on a serious note, this is the last time the Stars will ever play this incarnation of the Houston Aeros. These two clubs have absolutely battled it out every night they've matched up. You know if it's a game against Houston, everyone brings their all. Over four season, these two teams have played each other forty-seven times. If you're one for sign making, perhaps a "We'll miss you, Houston" sign wouldn't be out of line.

Stars injury/call up report:
R. Smith, Benn, Fraser, Chiasson (call up)
Nemeth (injured)

Website: aeros.com
Blog (official): Pilot to Gunner
Blog (unofficial): The Third Intermission
Twitter: @Houston_Aeros
Twitter: @aero_joe (play-by-play)
Twitter: @TheJoshFisher (PR)