from Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News,

As important weekends go, this might be as big as the Stars have faced in some time.

Dallas will end a five-game homestand with back-to-back games against Pacific Division rivals, facing Los Angeles on Sunday and Anaheim on Monday. The Stars have struggled when playing back-to-back games the past two seasons, and they also have some injury issues and will likely ride goalie Kari Lehtonen for both games.

What’s more, the 16-14-3 Stars are balancing on the bubble of the Western Conference playoff race and have to ponder whether to possibly trade some key pieces before Wednesday’s deadline.

Derek Roy, Jaromir Jagr and Eric Nystrom can become free agents in the summer, and there is talk that other NHL teams would like their services. If the Stars wanted to shop a veteran such as Stephane Robidas, who has another year left on his deal, they certainly could get something.

a bit more...