Gameday Preview: Texas Stars v. Milwaukee Admirals

Texas Stars 35-23-6-3, 79 pts, 0.590 #3 Pacific Division

v.

Milwaukee Admirals 41-21-3-1, 86 pts, 0.652 #1 Central Division

March 26th at 7:00 PM

Cedar Park Center, Cedar Park, TX

Same hockey team, same hockey time. Texas is of course hoping for not the same hockey result.

(Credit: Christina Shapiro/Texas Stars)

The Stars were lackluster, disconnected and meandering in their Wednesday loss. They knew that, and the scoreboard reflected it. Maxime Lagace, who I named as the player of the week on Thursday, was the only reason they had a chance in the third period.

Here are my keys to the game.

• Strike first — Milwaukee is 30-7-2-1 when scoring first. They know how to play with a lead. Meanwhile, Texas is a younger squad that is still learning to play from behind. Come out hot and score first.
  
• Score on the power play — Over the season, Texas has been clipping along at 20% on the PP. Recently, they've hit the skids with an 2-for-15 effort on this homestand, including an 0-for-4 mark on Wednesday. Both of those goals came in the second GR game. Keep it simple. Pucks to the net; generate rebounds. Score on the trash.
• Support your goalie — Lagace has been great on the homestand. Make sure he keeps seeing the puck well enough to employ his excellent glove hand. Make sure he doesn't have to face 48 shots like he did last weekend.

Stars injury/call up report:
Faksa, Ritchie, Johns (call up)
Shore, Morin (injury)

Admirals Web Resources:
Website: milwaukeeadmirals.com
Team blog: In The Crease
Online media: Admirals Roundtable (@adsroundtable)
Twitter: @mkeadmirals