Dallas Stars (46-30-6, fourth in the Central Division) vs. Calgary Flames (50-21-11, first in the Pacific Division)
Calgary, Alberta; Thursday, 10 p.m. EDT
LINE: Flames -237, Stars +191; over/under is 5.5
NHL PLAYOFFS FIRST ROUND: Flames host series opener
BOTTOM LINE: The Calgary Flames host the Dallas Stars to begin the Western Conference first round. The teams meet Tuesday for the sixth time this season. The Flames went 4-1 against the Stars during the regular season. In their last regular season matchup on May 3, the Flames won 1-0.
Calgary has a 50-21-11 record overall and a 23-9-7 record on its home ice. The Flames are sixth in the league with 291 total goals (averaging 3.6 per game).
Dallas has a 19-18-2 record in road games and a 46-30-6 record overall. The Stars have a 22-6-3 record in one-goal games.
TOP PERFORMERS: Matthew Tkachuk has 42 goals and 62 assists for the Flames. Johnny Gaudreau has six goals and nine assists over the last 10 games.
Jason Robertson has 41 goals and 38 assists for the Stars. Roope Hintz has scored five goals with five assists over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Flames: 6-2-2, averaging 3.6 goals, 5.8 assists, 4.8 penalties and 11.6 penalty minutes while giving up 2.5 goals per game.
Stars: 4-4-2, averaging 2.2 goals, 4.2 assists, 2.7 penalties and 7.1 penalty minutes while giving up 2.7 goals per game.
INJURIES: Flames: Sean Monahan: out for season (hip), Tyler Parsons: out for season (undisclosed).
Stars: Braden Holtby: out (lower body), Vladislav Namestnikov: out (lower-body).
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