By Kris Smith
The Stars have won their last three home games and claimed seven points from a possible eight in their last four outings, with back-to-back home victories coming last weekend against Guildford Flames and Belfast Giants.
Dundee were 4-3 winners in overtime against Guildford last Saturday before following it up by beating the Elite League leaders, 3-1, which moves the Stars onto 31 points after 36 games and leaves them seventh in the standings.
The Taysiders sit nine points behind the Flames but crucially six points ahead of Manchester Storm, who are on the outside of the playoff spots in ninth, but do have three games in hand on Dundee.
The last team to beat Marc LeFebvre’s men on home ice was their next opponents as on January 12, the Panthers were 4-1victors in Scotland, thanks to goals from Tim Doherty, Matt Alfaro, Didrik Henbrant and Otto Nieminen, whilst Brett Gravelle netted the Stars only goal.
Since then, Danny Stewart’s side have not lost and are now unbeaten in their last seven matches but have already fell twice to the Stars this season, in 5-2 and 2-1 defeats.
Discussing this weekend’s fixtures, Stars Head Coach, Marc LeFebvre said: “We have to focus on this game against Nottingham and forget about last week, yes it was great to get those two big wins at home and four-points on the board to get us going in the playoff chase, but come face-off, it does not matter.
“They are going for a league title, they are back in that race and after we beat Belfast, we should know what to expect from them because they will push their top line, which is as dangerous as anyone in the league.
“Their new goaltender has played very well since he came in, they are deep in defence and just a deep team overall.
“Since about December 1, they have probably been the best team, other than Belfast, in the league and results-wise, it will be a tough matchup but in saying that, we had two good results against them earlier in the season.
“So, it is all hands-on deck like it has been for the past few weeks and tonight there are two big points up for grabs.”
Face-off time for tonight’s home game against Nottingham is at 7pm.
All images: Derek Black.
