The Detroit Red Wings begin 2012 trailing their rivals, the Chicago Blackhawks, by three points in the NHL's Central Division. They will also begin it on the road against another team battling for playoff position in the Dallas Stars. Detroit has won four of its last five games, but the one loss in that time was a costly 3-2 defeat to Chicago that cost them critical points in the divisional race.
Tuesday night's game in Dallas will be the second time the Stars and Red Wings have faced each other this season. Detroit won 5-2 on Nov. 12 as the last game in a four-game winning streak. Detroit enters tonight fourth in the Western Conference, while Dallas is two points out of the final spot in the Western Conference playoff hunt.
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