Gameday Preview: Texas Stars v. Grand Rapids Griffins

Texas Stars 26-27-1-2, 55 pts, 0.491 #7 Pacific Division

v.

Grand Rapids Griffins 37-16-1-2, 77 pts, 0.688 #1 Central Division

March 8th at 7:30 PM

H-E-B Center at Cedar Park, Cedar Park, TX

(Credit: Andy Nietupski/Texas Stars)

A 6-2 win over San Antonio did little to tamp down concerns that the Texas Stars may not make the playoffs for just the second time in their history. The win got them back to one game below .500, but the mountain to climb is still very high. With the new mark set at .549 thanks to a six-game winning streak from the Condors, Texas needs to 84 points to surmount them. Earning 29 points in 20 games will require a 14-5-1 record from here on out.

It's unlikely but not impossible.

Texas will have to do whatever they do for the rest of the season without Remi Elie. While he has been fair to middling in the AHL, he excelled in the NHL. Dallas Stars coach Lindy Ruff noted that this is often the case with talented players. They can show off their skill more when more talent is around them. Gemel Smith and Justin Dowling are good examples of this. Elie, of course, has experience being elevated by world-class talent around him. He played with Connor McDavid in the OHL.

Stars injury/call up report:
Elie (call up)
Gurianov (lower body)

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