The Dallas Stars walked into Philadelphia as the third best team in the Central Division, looking to add another road win before flying back to Texas. The Stars were coming off of a 3-1 win over division rival St. Louis, but were honestly lucky to come out with the full two points. An improved effort in Philadelphia would have been the expectation from the coaching staff, looking to erase the third period effort in St. Louis from memory.
In the home dressing room, the Philadelphia Flyers were coming off of an eight-game losing streak, good for last in Metropolitan Division.