Gameday Preview: Stars at Houston Aeros

Texas Stars
16-11-3-2, 37 pts
#7 Western Conference
atHouston Aeros
17-10-2-3, 39 pts
#4 Western Conference
January 4th at 7:05 PM
Toyota Center, Houston, TX

Texas had been crushed by Oklahoma City the last time the Stars traveled to Houston as well. Texas put together an effort that was excellent but ultimately only came out with one point, losing in OT. Texas comes into this matchup having lost just that last game but 5-3-1-1 in their last ten. Houston has the same record but recently defeated OKC on New Year's.

The Stars have earned four points (1-2-2) in five games against the Aeros this season. Their only win came at Houston on November 11th. Texas is 8-9-2-2 all-time at the Toyota Center and 17-18-4-2 all-time against Houston.

As rumours of an NHL lockout deal continue to percolate, the Aeros are among the teams that will be most negatively affected in the South Division. Left wing Jason Zucker (15-14-29) and Mikael Granlund (8-12-20) are likely to be taken up to the parent Wild if the league starts. Each is a point-per-game or better in the AHL. January 12th or 19th are the postulated start dates for the NHL. For tonight, Texas will need to deal with both and they each have three goals and four assists against the Stars this season.

Matt Hackett has been dominate over the Stars in his career and this season overall. He is 3-0 this season and 11-6 all-time against Texas.

For this game, these two teams might as well shut it down after 40 minutes. Between the two, when leading after two periods, the combined record is 22-1-0-0. Similarly, they combine for a 3-18-3-2 record when trailing after two.

Stars injury/call up report:
Glennie (probable, hand)
Sloan (injury)
Vincour (head)
Wathier (questionable)

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)

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