(My Sportsbook) - The Dallas Stars will try to avoid dropping a season-high fourth straight game this afternoon in a contest against the Pacific Division- rival Anaheim Ducks at American Airlines Center.

Dallas opened a six-game homestand with a victory over Edmonton, the club's 10th win it is last 13 games. However, the Stars have dropped three straight since, scoring just two goals over that span while also falling to 17-10-4 at home this year.

The Stars were defeated by Chicago, 3-1, last Saturday before getting blanked by San Jose two days later. Dallas' slide reached three on Thursday with a 3-1 setback to St. Louis.

Jere Lehtinen provided the lone goal for the Stars, who haven't lost four straight since a five-game slide from March 13-27 of last season. Marty Turco surrendered all three goals on 22 shots in defeat.

The Stars dealt defenseman Doug Janik to Montreal prior to Thursday's game in exchange for forward Steve Begin. The 30-year-old Begin did not play versus the Blues, but could make his Dallas debut today after notching six goals and four assists in 42 games with the Canadiens this year.

Originally selected by Calgary in the second round of the 1996 draft, Begin has posted 46 goals and 38 assists in 389 career games with the Flames and Canadiens.

Dallas would love to halt its skid versus Anaheim, as the Stars and Ducks are two of four teams currently tied for the final two playoff spots in the Western Conference. Minnesota and Edmonton, who each have 65 points like the Stars and Ducks, are also playing each other tonight.

The Stars are 2-0-1 versus the Ducks this year and have eight of 12 and 10 of the last 15 meetings in the series overall. Dallas has won seven of its last nine at home versus Anaheim.

The Ducks had won two straight before getting slammed, 6-0, by Boston on Thursday. Jean-Sebastien Giguere allowed three goals on eight shots before getting pulled early in the second period. Jonas Hiller finished the game and gave up three goals on 19 shots.

Defenseman Ryan Whitney made his Anaheim debut after getting acquired from Pittsburgh earlier on Thursday for Chris Kunitz and prospect Eric Tangradi. Whitney had two goals and 11 assists in 28 games this season for the Pens. He didn't make his season debut until late December after undergoing foot surgery in August.

The Ducks fell to 2-2-0 on a six-game road trip that ends in Chicago on Tuesday. Anaheim is 15-15-2 overall as the visiting team this year.