With only one playoff slot yet to be filled on this last day of the season, Texas already knows who it will play and when. The Stars' cup defense will start against the Rockford IceHogs this Friday.
The IceHogs finished as the fourth seed and will open on the road, as is the rule for teams more than 300 road miles apart in best-of-five AHL series. For more information on that, check the glossary.
Unfortunately, the Stars hold a 0-3-1 record against the Hogs this season. The two clubs have faced each other once before in the playoffs with Texas sweeping Rockford (and goalie Corey Crawford) 4-0 in 2010 en route to the Calder Cup Finals.