Vegas @ Dallas preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 25, 2019 ) Vegas 2, Dallas 4

With a couple days to digest the stunning news of former coach Jim Montgomery’s dismissal, the Dallas Stars will return to the ice Friday when they host the Vegas Golden Knights. Montgomery was removed from his position for unprofessional conduct Tuesday morning and replaced by Rick Bowness, who that night earned his first coaching victory in 16 seasons with a 2-0 triumph over New Jersey.

The Stars came out firing for their new coach as they outshot the Devils 16-2 in the first period and received the game-winning goal 1:42 into the game when center Radek Faksa scored his seventh of the season. “(Bowness) brings a lot of energy to this group and he brought a lot of energy on the bench,” Stars forward Joe Pavelski told reporters. “It was kind of an odd day and not an easy one. Anytime something like that happens, (playing) is the easiest part.” The schedule maker didn’t do the Golden Knights any favors as they’ll play the Stars, who are tied for the second-most home wins in the NHL, on the second leg of a road back-to-back after losing 4-2 on Thursday to the defending Stanley Cup champion St. Louis Blues. “A definite tough back-to-back,” Golden Knights left winger Jonathan Marchessault told reporters. “It’s really unfortunate that the first game's a loss but (we’re) lucky enough that we have a game tomorrow to redeem ourselves and show a better 60-minute effort.”

TV: 8 p.m. ET, AT&T Sportsnet Rocky Mountain (Vegas), FS Southwest (Dallas)

ABOUT THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS (16-13-5): Max Pacioretty played his 100th game as a Golden Knight Thursday and scored his 12th of the season, leaving him one goal shy of Reilly Smith’s team-leading 13. Left winger William Carrier temporarily gave the Golden Knights a 2-1 edge in the first period by scoring his first goal since Nov. 13 and his fourth of the season. Goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury made 25 saves Thursday but is expected to give way Friday to backup Malcolm Subban, who is 4-5-3 with a 3.04 goals-against average and .901 save percentage.

ABOUT THE STARS (18-11-3): Goaltender Ben Bishop earned his first shutout of the season and 32nd of his career Tuesday as he stopped all 26 shots he faced against the Devils. “We’ve gotten pretty close this year and the guys have been playing great all season,” Bishop told the media. “The goalie gets the reward, but it’s a team effort.” Tyler Seguin has fired 115 shots but has only six goals to show for it, which leaves the 27-year-old with a 5.2 shooting percentage – his lowest since his rookie year with Boston in 2010-11 (8.4).

OVERTIME

1. Fleury played in his 820th career game Thursday, tying him with Sean Burke for 14th on the NHL’s all-time list.

2. The Stars have accumulated 13 wins since Nov. 1 - tied with the Islanders and Jets for the second-most in the NHL behind only the Capitals (14).

3. Vegas is 5-2 all-time against Dallas and is 3-1 as the road team.

PREDICTION: Stars 4, Golden Knights 2