Dallas at Tampa Bay

Dallas is young and fast, and an up-and-coming team. The Stars are off to a fine start, too, ranked ninth in the league in goals scored with an improving defense and a winning record. Jason Spezza is off a hat trick, Captain Jamie Benn has recorded a point in each contest and they are still awaiting the first goal of Tyler Seguin (37 last year). The Stars are on an 8-2 run on the road, as well as 6-0 against the Eastern Conference. Tampa Bay is home from a tough three-game road trip, playing three games in four nights while losing the last contest, looking tired out in a 3-1 loss at Detroit. Tampa Bay has been unable to carry over its special teams success from last season, most notably its seventh-ranked penalty kill. The Lightning have been zapped for five power-play goals on 12 opportunities. Tampa Bay is 2-6 against the West, plus 1-5 in the fourth game of a four-in-six situation. This is a great spot for the big dog and the Stars are 8-3 in the last 11 meetings in Tampa Bay. Take Dallas.