(Sports Network) - The Dallas Stars will try to open the season with a fourth straight victory this evening when they play host to the St. Louis Blues at American Airlines Center.
Following road wins over the Devils and Islanders, the Stars dealt the Red Wings a 4-1 defeat on Thursday in Dallas' home opener. The club is off to its best start since winning the first five games of the 2006-07 season.
Brad Richards had a goal and two assists in the victory over Detroit, giving him two goals and five helpers over his club's first three games. Richards has never scored in 13 career games versus the Blues, but does have 13 assists in that span.
"We're gaining some momentum and I like the way we're playing," Richards said. "We found a way to not give them much as the game went on."
Loui Eriksson, Brenden Morrow and James Neal also scored for the Stars, who welcomed back Mike Modano to Dallas for the first time since the former face of the franchise joined the Red Wings as a free agent this offseason. Modano got a standing ovation from the fans about five minutes into the game during a stoppage in play.
Kari Lehtonen, who is 2-1-0 with a 1.66 goals-against average in his career versus the Blues, made 25 saves and has posted a 2.57 GAA while starting all three games for the Stars this season.
The Blues come to town fresh off their first setback of the season. After picking up home wins over Philadelphia and Anaheim to begin the year, St. Louis traveled to Nashville and lost a 4-3 decision.
T.J. Oshie, Patrik Berglund and Matt D'Agostini each had a goal for St. Louis. Jaroslav Halak was beaten four times on 22 shots.
"We spent a little bit too much time in our own zone," Blues head coach Davis Payne said. "Not being ready to play in a building where this team has had a lot of success ... as a group we have to be sharper."
D'Agostini has scored three goals over the Blues' first three games after scoring just twice in 47 combined games last year with St. Louis and Montreal.
The Blues have won three straight and six of their last eight overall against the Stars. That includes a win in two straight as well as three of their last four in Dallas.
Halak has never before faced the Stars.
The start of this game was pushed back 30 minutes because of the MLB's Texas Rangers hosting Game 2 of the ALCS. First pitch of that game is slated for 4:07 p.m. (et) and the later start will allow fans to catch both games with less potential for overlap.