The Dallas Stars are on the outside looking into the Western Conference's playoff situation. It's January. It's time to start talking about these things.
Their aspirations, however, still have time to include a wild card spot- Or even a third-place finish in the Central Division. The third place spot, as it so happens, is currently occupied by the St. Louis Blues, whom the Stars happen to meet tonight.
Just five points separate the two, and this is the last chance for the Stars to directly take from this particular foe this season.
So this is kind of a big deal, both mathematically and as a statement for the season's second half.