Stars GameDay: Stars, Canadiens among NHL’s best, but slumping after fast start

Canadiens at Stars

7 p.m. Saturday, American Airlines Center, Dallas

TV: FSSW Plus Radio: KTCK/1310 AM and 96.7 FM

Records: Canadiens 20-10-3, 43 points; Stars 23-7-2, 48 pts.

About the Canadiens: Montreal is coming off a 3-0 loss to the LA Kings on Thursday and has lost six of its past seven games. However, the Canadiens remain atop the Atlantic Division with 43 points and have managed to stay on the Stars’ heels in the race for the top spot in the NHL with the third-best points total (43). … Despite Thursday’s shutout, the Canadiens rank third in the NHL in goals scored (3.03 a game) and are fourth in the league in goals against (2.27). … Tomas Plekanec leads the Canadiens with 27 points (7 goals, 20 assists). Max Pacioretty is next with 26 points and a team-leading 14 goals.

About the Stars: Dallas, coming off a 3-1 loss Thursday to the Calgary Flames, has lost four of its past eight games, but they have yet to drop two in a row this season. … The Stars continue to lead the NHL with 48 points, but they were tied Friday night by the Washington Capitals, who rallied to beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 5-3 … Dallas is 4-2-2 in December. … Defenseman Johnny Oduya scored his fourth goal of the season Thursday and has five points (3 goals, 2 assists) in the past five games. … The Stars remain in control of the Western Conference race with a six-point lead over St. Louis in the Central Division and the Los Angeles Kings in the Pacific Division.

This story was originally published December 18, 2015 at 5:31 PM with the headline "Stars GameDay: Stars, Canadiens among NHL’s best, but slumping after fast start."