The set-up: The 38-24-6 Dallas Stars open a six-game road trip which could be crucial to their playoff chances when they visit the 39-26-4 Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday at PPG Paints Arena. The Stars hope to strengthen their hold on the first wild-card spot in the Western Conference (82 points) and remain within reach of Minnesota (85 points) for third place in the Central Division as they begin this six-game road trip. The Penguins had their three-game overall winning streak snapped in Saturday's 5-2 setback at Toronto but can reclaim first place in the Metropolitan Division with a win here. Pittsburgh has 82 points and the Caps have 83 but are idle.

Dallas: The Stars are coming off a 2-1 home victory of Anaheim in which captain Jamie Benn set up Devin Shore's power-play goal in the third period that forged a tie before scoring one of his own with 5:37 remaining. Benn has 23 goals and 60 points. Center Tyler Seguin notched a pair of assists against the Ducks for his fourth multi-point performance in five games. He leads the team with 64 points (as well as in goals with 36) and has landed on the scoresheet in seven of his last eight contests - collecting seven goals and six assists in that span. Dallas played Friday without defenseman Marc Methot (knee), Mattias Janmark (flu) and Martin Hanzal, who is slated to undergo season-ending spinal fusion surgery that will require a recovery time of six-to-seven months, but welcomed back Radek Faksa (foot) and Esa Lindell (illness).

Pittsburgh: Captain Sidney Crosby and Patric Hornqvist (19 goals and 35 points) scored 68 seconds apart late in the third period to prevent a shutout loss for the Penguins. Bryan Rust, who has recorded a career-high 33 points this season, sat out the loss to the Maple Leafs after suffering a concussion in Wednesday's victory at Philadelphia. Josh Jooris, who was acquired from Carolina at last month's trade deadline, replaced Rust in the lineup and registered one shot in 9 minutes, 42 seconds of ice time in his first NHL game since Feb. 23. Crosby, whose goal on Saturday was his 1,101st point, is four assists shy of 700 for his career. However, he is currently third on the team with 74 points. Malkin leads in goals (38) and points (85) plus Kessel ranks second on the team with 77 points.

The pick: The two-time defending champs are making a late-season push and come in having won 13 of their last 14 at home. Pittsburgh is now 25-8-1 on home ice this season, where the Pens are averaging a healthy 3.62 GPG. The Stars will face four teams firmly entrenched in playoff positions during their stretch away from home, where they have lost three of their last four (just 14-14-3 on the road this season), with their last two defeats being 2-0 shutouts. Make Pittsburgh an 8* play.