(Sports Network) - The Dallas Stars will be aiming for a third straight victory when they return to American Airlines Center for tonight's battle against the Montreal Canadiens.
The Stars posted a 2-0 record on a recent road trip, recording a pair of one- goal victories in Columbus and Detroit. Dallas is now back on home ice, where it has notched an excellent 11-3-2 record this season.
Montreal, meanwhile, is just 7-7-0 away from Quebec this season and is playing the second test of a season-long, seven-game road trip tonight. The Canadiens began the swing Sunday in Colorado and was dealt a 3-2 regulation loss in what was the third straight road setback for the Habs.
Dallas is coming off a thrilling overtime victory on Sunday. Loui Eriksson found the back of the net at the 4:18 mark of overtime to lift the Stars to the 4-3 decision at Joe Louis Arena.
Brenden Morrow had pulled the Stars even late in the third period with his second goal of the game. Then, in the extra session, Eriksson beat Red Wings goaltender Chris Osgood on a three-on-one rush moments after the Stars failed to convert on a power play.
Eriksson added two assists for Dallas, which has collected at least one point in 12 of its last 14 games (10-2-2). Andrew Raycroft made 28 saves in the win.
"Points are so important right now, so it was really good that we could come back," Eriksson said of his Stars, who are currently holding a three-point lead over the Ducks for the Pacific Division lead.
The Canadiens have not been playing their best hockey as of late, losing four times in their last five trips to the ice. Montreal held leads of 1-0 and 2-1 in Sunday's game in Denver, but the Avalanche scored the final two goals of the game in the second period to skate to the 3-2 decision.
Michael Cammalleri and Alexandre Picard scored power-play goals in a losing effort for the Canadiens, while Carey Price allowed three goals on 28 shots. Price is expected to start again tonight and is 2-1 with a 2.67 goals-against average in three career games against Dallas.
The Canadiens are 3-1-0 with a tie in the last five meetings with the Stars, but Montreal has just one win and a tie in its last six trips to Dallas.