GDT #8: 10/28/14 | 7:30PM CST | v Stars | FSMW/KMOX

[dmiles2186]

BLUES (3-3-1) at STARS (4-2-2)

TV: FS-MW, FS-SW

Season series: The St. Louis Blues and Dallas Stars square off against each other for the first time this season. The Stars won three of five last season, with two of the games decided in overtime. Trevor Daley (one goal, one assist) and Jamie Benn (two assists) each had two points, and Kari Lehtonen stopped 22 shots for his 27th career shutout in the Stars' 3-0 win on April 11, the last time the teams played.

Blues team scope: A 3-2 victory against the Chicago Blackhawks snapped a two-game losing skid when the Blues got three goals from Jaden Schwartz, Ryan Reaves and Dmitrij Jaskin, who scored his second career goal (both against the Blackhawks).

Center Paul Stastny, on injured reserve with an upper-body injury, skated with the team for the first time Monday and fifth time since the injury.

Defenseman Carl Gunnarsson, who's missed the first seven games after offseason hip surgery, will make his Blues debut Tuesday, Coach Ken Hitchcock confirmed.

"It feels good," Gunnarsson said after practice. "I just want to get back in there … a little nervous. That's how it should be."

Forwards Vladimir Tarasenko and Ryan Reaves did not practice Monday because of lingering effects of a bacterial infection that's hit the team in the past week. They are questionable for Tuesday.

Stars team scope: The Stars wrapped up a quick two-game trip Saturday with a 7-5 loss to the New York Islanders ,which snapped a string of five straight games (4-0-1) in which Dallas earned a point. They got a goal and an assist each from Jason Spezza and Tyler Seguin in the game. It was the fifth time in six games the Stars have scored three or more goals. They've scored in 25 goals in that stretch and surrendered 22 goals.

Defenseman Sergei Gonchar (ankle) and forward Valeri Nichushkin (groin/hip) practiced Monday but aren't ready to return to action.

"Both guys are progressing," coach Lindy Ruff said on the team's website. "… They're going to need a little time to get back in the grind. We're at Stage 1 and we're going to move them along."

[gaijin]

Like a lot of teams in the West, the Stars are a tougher opponent than last year, and it's not like we dominated them even then. I'd say we've got out work cut out for us. But if we can beat Chicago in regulation, we can beat Dallas. Make it happen.

2 points, please.

[ecbm]

It'll be a test. The Blues' defense can't be giving the puck away in the neutral zone like they have recently. Dallas has a very competent offense this season and will punish mistakes. They're porous at the back though.

Looking forward to seeing what Gunnarson has to offer.

[ViPeRx007]

ANGER OF TEH GUNNARSS!

[glen a richter]

Minnesota North Stars 5, Blues 0

No reason other than the last time I predicted a 5-0 loss, we went home with a 3-2 win. I'll ride it as long as it works.

[drwoland]

I would love a nice fat blow out.

Blues 7
Stars 0

LETS GO

[WaukeeBlues]

hmmmmm

Blues 4
Stars 2

Benn scores. Tarasenko scores.

I have some crazy predictions, I know.

[KrustyKevo]

My heart

[KrustyKevo]

WWWWWWWWWW

[Kreegz2]

I want his Jersey

[Toasted Oates]

"GET ON MY BACK."--91

[H-Town Blues]

I'll take that win. Hopefully Backes will be okay.

[cprice12]

This was a pretty damn good game. Pretty back and forth much of the night. Two very good teams battling it out.
Elliott made a number of great saves...and one rather soft one allowed. Overall he was very, very good.
Gunnarson looked pretty good, other than him getting tied up with Elliott on the Stars first goal. I was happy with his play.
Damn Tarasenko is good.
I guess Backes has a concussion. Seems pretty obvious. Hopefully it's not severe.
Lehtera is looking better and better. Talk about a great move getting him over here...he and Tarasenko are sick together.

Getting back to back wins vs. Chicago and Dallas...awesome.

They are playing more like we thought they would now...and that is without Stastny and with a number of guys with that stupid virus and playing at 70%.

I'm not sure how Tarasenko doesn't get one of the NHL stars of the night...they gave the 3rd star to Seth Griffith, who had 3 pts. Whoop dee doo. That star should have been Tarasenko's. Dumb.