Five for Fighting

The day after

Wasn't there a movie of that name regarding the day after a nuclear explosion? OK, so it's a slight tie-in. Sorry, I'm just still stunned at what we all saw last night with Richards. You can definitely similarities between he and Ribeiro, and with Hagman and Brenden Morrow. I'll be interested to see how well the Richards line continues to work together.

What else? Um, Matt Niskanen is out again tomorrow night. Should be back Wednesday against Phoenix. Mike Ribeiro was sore so he sat out, but he'll play tomorrow. I think that's about it. Remember, it's a 7 p.m. start tomorrow. I always have to remind myself of that half-hour difference.

Nice debut, eh?

Wow. Sorry, I know we journalists are supposed to be unbiased, but that was an impressive display of work by Mr. Richards tonight. Could you tell the guy was just ready to play and be done with all the drama of the past week or so? Although it's going to be hard for him to top that from here on out.

Anyway, some other tidbits:
   Niklas Hagman looked great. He said he just had his stick on the ice and didn't do much for those, but it was his hard driving to the net that ultimately made those goals. Great stuff. And now he's just one goal away from being among the team's leading scorers. Don't see any reason why, with 14 games remaining, he doesn't get at least 30 now.
   Mike Modano still scores some of the prettiest goals I've ever seen.
   Loui Eriksson gets his sixth goal in his last four games. The committee is alive and well.
   OK, folks, I'm about to call it a night. Have a good one.

Postgame quotables, Dave Tippett version

... A good, solid first outing (for Brad Richards). He's a good player ... in all the situations. He wants to come in and fit in with our group and he played all parts of the game well.

... We had our top three lines score and that makes you hard to play against. Haggy went to the net hard and Brad found him and he finished well. We are still in a mode where we need to keep getting better. It's about balance and winning as a group. That's the only way to win championships and that's what we're striving for.

... Both Mo and Brad are natural centers who need to be around the puck and they'll get time together, but we liked what we saw. We played with the same purpose and rhythm as before the trade, and our balance is the strength of the team.

Postgame quotables, Brad Richards version

On his first start:
It's an exciting start, I was so nervous and I wanted so badly to fit in and keep this thing going. Happy was always tough to play against and he was great tonight. I'm so happy to be here, it was great to have a game like this and hopefully the expectation aren't set too high. I know it's going to get harder, I just have to keep playing hard. There's a good thing going on here and I hope we can keep it up.

Postgame quotables, Niklas Hagman version

On his new linemate, Brad Richards:
You could say that he's a good player.

On his first hat trick:
I was really happy to get the hat trick, my first in the NHL. Maybe all of those goals, I had the easiest part. I just had to get my stick on the ice. Overall, the game was fun to play.

On his last hat trick:
It was seven years ago, my first training camp, my first exhibition game with Florida. We played against Carolina. I had a hat trick in that game. I ended up making the team and playing my first NHL game and all that stuff, but it took me 30 goals after the hat trick to score another goal. So, I had to wait for a little while to get the first NHL goal. Hopefully now I won't have to wait 30 games to score the next goal.

-- Keeli Garza

Postgame quotables, Mike Modano version

On Brad Richards' passing:
Pretty goals. That's kind of, what, unfortunately if we had a better schedule you could have seen him more often back in the day. But we've got him now. Great start.

On his goal:
Steve [Ott] did a great job of getting in there and causing the turnover. It came right to me so I was able to get it up. Nice work on those guys' part to cause the turnover.

On the energy of the team:
I mean, you're bringing in an elite player. He's going to make everyone around him that much better. You know, to worry about chemisty, I think talent and skill guys never have a hard time adjusting to coming in and fitting in. They, if anything, raise their level. And everybody else wants to raise theirs with them. Those type of players are few and far between that can make an impact like that.

On playing in a game like this:
It's tough. You just want to get it over with and do the good things well. Keep the clock going. Keep everybody's heads up. No injuries happen.

-- Keeli Garza

Your Turn: Star of the game

The Stars had no problem with the visiting Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday night after they shot out to a 2-1 first-period lead en route to a 7-4 victory.

Niklas Hagman recorded his first career hat trick in the win, while the newest member of the Stars Brad Richards set a career-high for points and assists in a game with five.

Your Turn: In the comment section below, tell us who was the star player for the Stars in the victory

Hagman's hatter

Think Niklas Hagman is happy the Stars got Brad Richards? Hagman gets his first hat trick thanks to the new Stars center in what's been a fantastic night for both of them.

I was wondering how that line would do tonight. I got my answer.

My goodness

OK, Brad Richards has three assists already, and we're not even halfway through the second period. This time he's the primary assister on another breakaway, and he feeds it back to Trevor Daley trailing down the back. It's 5-1 stars at the 6:34 mark, and not surpsingly that's enough to chase Patrick Lalime from the game. Corey Crawford takes over for him.

This could get ugly for Chicago, folks. Actually...

Two more goals

The Stars are looking like a well-oiled machine right now, and Brad Richards is showing why he's here. His passing with Antti Miettinen to Niklas Hagman was a thing of beauty, as Hagman got his 24th of the season for a 3-1 lead at 2:47.

Not to be outdone, the Mike Ribeiro had their own little nifty passing display, this one led to Loui Eriksson's sixth goal in his last four games, at 4:41. The Stars are up 4-1, and everyone's looking fantastic, especially that Richards group.

Modano scores

It's Mike Modano's turn, as he gets a loose puck, dances around with Chicago defenseman Duncan Keith and forward Patrick Sharp watching, then went high on Patrick LaLime for a 2-1 Stars lead at 9:58. The Stars seem to be feeling it tonight, just watching them skate around. Every line looks pretty darned motivated right now.

Richards sets up Hagman

Brad Richards throws a great pass down low to Niklas Hagman, who just stuck the stick out and knocked it in to tie the game 1-1 at 4:57. It was a great answer for the Stars, who saw the Blackhawks scored just 50 seconds prior to that.

Anyway, Richards' first point as a Star and Hagman's 23rd goal of the season.

Richards hits the ice

Brad Richards took the ice with linemates Niklas Hagman and Antti Miettinen at the 1:40 mark. There was a round of applause as he went to the faceoff circle at center ice, and the trio had a pretty nice first shift, flying around and creating two shots.

The rest of the lines:
Morrow-Ribeiro-Eriksson
Ott-Modano-Lehtinen
Lundqvist-Barnes-Barch

Kind words for Smith

The St. Petersburg Times had some kind words for Mike Smith after his debut with the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday night. Indeed, much of what happened was certainly not his fault. Anyway, it wasn't a bad first game for him, and his former Stars teammates Jeff Halpern and Jussi Jokinen

Separated at birth?

Elaine, a frequent e-mailer of mine and big Stars fan, said she's figured out where she's seen new backup goaltender Johan Holmqvist before: As the lead singer of a rock band.
I didn't know until Elaine alerted me to it, but Mr. Holmqvist looks very much like Franz Ferdinand singer Alex Kapranos. See for yourself!

 

Morning updates

Nothing big to report out of this morning. It was an optional skate, with most of the studs taking the morning off.

Nicklas Grossman is fine and will play tonight. Philippe Boucher was pretty happy with his first game back on Tuesday, and he's just looking to get his timing back right now. Matt Niskanen did not skate and is out again for tonight. Dave Tippett said it's nothing serious, however, just a bruise. X-rays came up negative.

Former Stars in Tampa

Watching the Tampa Bay-Minnesota game right now, and they're spending most of the intermission talking about Mike Smith, Jeff Halpern and Jussi Jokinen.

Jussi's been elevated, as he's playing with Lecavalier and St. Louis. That's not a bad place to start, eh? Anyway, Jay Feaster said during the intermission that he and Halpern will probably be third-line mates at some point.

Smith has looked good in the few shots I've caught so far tonight. Oh, and Jokinen is now wearing No. 10.

A young Joe Sakic

Stars owner Tom Hicks wasn't sure what his team would be getting if it acquired forward Brad Richards. Co-general manager Brett Hull put Hicks at ease when he called Richards "a 27-year-old Joe Sakic." Hicks also didn't mind the fact that Richards is a Conn Smythe and Stanley Cup winner.

That seems fitting, as Sakic was one of Richards' idols, and the reason he wore the No. 19 before coming to Dallas. That number's retired here for Bill Masterton.

Practice update

Sorry, I forgot to throw in the other updates:

Nicklas Grossman (facial laceration) should be ready to go tonight against the Blackhawks. Matt Niskanen (bruised foot) got an X-ray so we're not so sure about him. And for the first time in I don't know how many practices, I forgot to ask starting goaltender. I'm assuming Marty. But I also know what assuming gets you.

Meet the new guys

We had the meet-and-greet today in Frisco, and it looked like both of these guys were just happy to be here and ready to go. Especially Richards. I can imagine the last week or so has been rough for him, considering all the havoc being wreaked down in Tampa with the Lightning.

Anyway, Richards was with Niklas Hagman and Antti Miettinen at practice on Wednesday. Is that tomorrow's line? Who knows. Dave Tippett said not to read too much into all that hubub. So I won't. For the moment.

I talked with Johan Holmqvist about the trade. I didn't know if the guy knew he could be in the deal, considering Mike Smith's name coming up on the Stars' side. Turns out he had no idea.

"I didn't think it was out there," he said. "Then we're at practice (Tuesday) and I get a tap on the shoulder. It's a different situation, but I embrace it."

Meet the press

That's what Brad Richards and Johan Holmqvist will be doing this afternoon in Frisco. Well, first they'll be practicing with their new teammates. Hmmm, on what line will Brad Richards be?

Anyway, this is Fun Day, part two as far as finding out more about these guys. Obviously, I know a lot less about Holmqvist, given the fact that he's only in his second full year as a starter and we see Eastern Conference teams as much as I saw the sun these last few days leading up to the deadline.

We'll find out more this afternoon.

They find a way to win

This was such a dangerous game for the Stars. They've struggled in St. Louis in recent games, they were emotional over losing three players in a trade and were playing short-handed. It showed in the first two periods, but the Stars came to play in the third and dominated. St. Louis only had two shots on goal and Dallas scored three times in a seven-minute span. They turned it on when they needed to.

Twelve wins in 14 games is amazing, and there's no reason the winning should cease with three winnable home games coming up--Chicago, Nashville and Phoenix.

Now we'll see how Brad Richards stirs the pot. I think the best thing about Richards is that he's not a rental. The organization has made a commitment to him so he'll be around for a few years. Stars coach Dave Tippett talks about the family atmosphere he and his coaches try to foster so it should be easier to accept Richards as "family" because he won't up and leave after the season. Plus, all reports out of Tampa is that Richards is as good a guy as he is a player.

--Milenko Martinovich

How quickly it changes

If not for Marty Turco's great second period (17 saves), the Stars could be woefully out of this game. Instead he stands on his head and waits for Dallas' offense to wake up. Loui Eriksson and Jere Lehtinen have scored on Dallas' only two shots in the third and lead 2-1 with 12:17 remaining.

--Milenko Martinovich

What a day!

Well, say this for the new GMs: They know how to make a splash. The more I think about this deal the more I love it. Yes, the one thing that still hurts is losing Mike Smith. But with the talent he has and the numbers he was putting up, how much longer would he have been a Star?

I'm about to go on the Brad Richards conference call right now to get his thoughts. It's been a whirlwind day for everybody involved in this. But I think it's going to end up paying great dividends for the Stars.

A sad Mike Smith

I just talked to Mike Smith about everything transpiring this morning. Obviously he's one sad man, considering the friends he had in that locker room and the potential of the Stars season. He wanted to stay here, wanted to start here eventually, but he's getting that No. 1 goalie job a little quicker than he thought he would:

"I always hoped and predicted it would be in Dallas, but it's obviously hard being behind a guy like Marty. As young and durable as he is, he isn't going to be done for a long time. It's earlier than I planned and hoped, but it's all the better for me doing this when I'm younger."

The deal is done

I have mixed feelings about the Brad Richards deal, just based solely on getting to know these guys in the locker room. I'll especially miss Mike Smith. He had such a great attitude and sense of humor in that locker room, and I don't doubt that he helped keep Marty Turco loose. Those two had such a great friendship.

But this is a business. So now that it's just about official, what do you all think about the deal? Good? Bad? Indifferent? Remember one thing: Richards has proven he can score in the playoffs, and the Stars could use that.

Close to a deal?

Of course my streaming feed starts acting up when they start talking about this! But Tradecentre is reporting that the Stars and Lightning have agreed to a deal, and they're just waiting for Brad Richards' approval. Hold everything, folks, we'll be back soon.

Richards watching

Reading Eric Erlendsson's blog out of the Tampa Tribune, and he reports that Brad Richards was not on the ice during the Lightning's morning skate today. Marian Hossa is taking the morning off, himself, up in Montreal.

Yahoo! Sports is talking of the Stars making a deal for Richards that includes Smith, Jeff Halpern and Mark Fistric. Stay tuned, folks.

Bryce Salvador to New Jersey

He's heading east in exchange for Cam Janssen, who will go back to his home area. Janssen's on the phone with the Tradecentre folks right now, joking how his parents told him he was part of a blockbuster deal. Salvador's a sturdy guy, and I always liked his style of play. The Blues will definitely miss him.

It's a beautiful day!

Ooh, this day is a crazy one, or it could be. Last year I was in Tampa waiting to see what the Stars would do. There wasn't nearly as much hype around this team and their possible trade last season, but this season...

I believe there's streaming coverage of the Tradecentre show through NHL.com (at least they're advertising it. We'll find out for sure in about four minutes).

So do the Stars land their big fish? And at what cost? Stay tuned. Literally :)

Lightning signs Boyle

The Bolts wanted to keep their defenseman, and they did with a six-year, $40 million deal late Monday night. Forward Vaclav Prospal is also off the list, as the Lightning sent him to the Philadelphia Flyers for defenseman Alexandre Picard and a second- or third-round draft pick in 2009.

It's been a pretty active night already. Peter Forsberg went back to the Colorado Avalanche earlier tonight, signing a deal for the remainder of the season.

How much is that a game?!

Sundin, Tanguay stay put

Mats Sundin told the world he's staying in Toronto last night. Calgary GM Darryl Sutter said Alex Tanguay is also going nowhere. Ah, the joy of a no-trade clause, at least for the players. Some GMs may be pulling out their hair with the recent news.

Here is my question (and it doesn't pertain so much to Sundin as others out there): Are there too many no-trade clauses floating around out there? Those and no-movement clauses, they're everywhere. And it's not just a player or two from each team getting them anymore. It's like five or six. Too many?

Either way, it's going to make things very intriguing come deadline tomorrow afternoon.

Richards talk

Someone asked me to give my take on this, so here goes:
Richards is a great scorer, although this season he's dipped a little bit. Could be that the guy just needs a change of scenery. There's no doubt he can post some big digits. Hey, the move worked for Mike Ribeiro, didn't it? He's 27 years old, so it would be one more great catch in that age range (Morrow (28), Ribeiro (28) and even Turco at 32).
Guessing the Bolts want a goaltender, so you lose Mike Smith. The Stars obviously would lose a very reliable backup, but how long can you hold on to his talent? He's going to be a starter soon enough.

Anyway, here's the catch: That price tag is huge, as Richards will make $7.8 million in each of the next three seasons. Now, that being said, the Stars could make it work. Next season they will not be paying Bill Guerin ($2.25M) anymore. Mattias Norstrom's contract the Stars picked up from L.A. ends this season (he's earning $4.25). Take those two items, and throw in the fact that the salary cap will go up again a few million. Voila, you have room.

All in all, the only thing that really bothers me is that high-dollar contract. He's a very talented guy, and I think he would fit in great with this group. It's going to come down to whether the Stars are willing to pay that big price. Player-wise, the Stars probably won't have to give up the prospects they covet.

Other injury updates

Philippe Boucher (shoulder) is unlikely to play Tuesday against the St. Louis Blues; his more likely return date is Thursday at home against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Stu Barnes (eye) will see his doctor sometime today and if he's cleared to go, he'll practice tomorrow. Jeff Halpern (groin) had treatment on Sunday and should practice tomorrow.

Zubov has surgery; out 3-4 more weeks

Sergei Zubov had a screw inserted into his injured foot and will be out 3-4 weeks, according to coach Dave Tippett. Zubov had apparently gone to a specialist who told him to get this fixed now.

The Stars were hoping Zubov would be back on the ice sometime this week. Instead, they're keeping their fingers crossed that he gets some work in before the playoffs. "Ideally, if he gets back and gets skating the last week of March and plays the first week of April, that's very good," Tippett said.

Midnight "snacks"

Hello, it's Tracey, enjoying a Marty Turco moment: A night off after a lot of consecutive starts :)

Anyway, I named the post this because I have some food for thought heading into Tuesday:
6... as in points... as in what separates the Stars from the Detroit Red Wings from the No. 1 spot in the Western Conference. Unattainable? Probably. But who would've thought the Stars would be within single digits with the way the Wings were playing the entire season?
0... as in moves the Stars may be contemplating (at least eye-opening ones). Seriously, do you need big moves on a team that's got 83 points?! Les Jackson said it beautifully earlier this week: "You can't work off of what other people do." In other words: Don't be lulled into a splashy move just because your division rival did it.

Tuesday will be fun regardless :)

Final thoughts from Nashville

Les Jackson and Brett Hull have some tough decisions to make. Granted, the Stars aren't going to muster six goals a night, but something may have to be said for keeping this team intact as is. Eleven wins in 13 games don't occur by accident and it's not like the Stars were playing a bunch of wimps. And the Stars did enter Saturday's game fourth in the NHL in goals scored so they've proven they can put the puck in the net.

Mike Ribeiro needed a game like this. It gives him confidence, which is a big key for him. Brenden Morrow was great as well and Loui Eriksson fit in beautifully.

Nevertheless, I think a move has to be made to bolster the top six. These kinds of eruptions to carry the Stars in the playoffs are hard to come by. And don't think that Detroit, Anaheim, San Jose and Minnesota aren't paying attention. Those teams will most likely make moves to get better. The Stars will probably need to do the same to keep up.

--Milenko Martinovich

This is so done

Nashville scored early in the third to make it interesting, but the Predators aren't even trying anymore. The building is dead and the Preds aren't doing much to instill energy. Brenden Morrow and Loui Eriksson scored 29 seconds apart and the Stars are rolling 6-2.

Stars rolling

Loui Eriksson gives the Stars some breathing room muscling a shot past Dan Ellis for a 3-1 lead with 2:59 remaining in the second period. Mattias Norstrom now has points in three consecutive games after recording only five before Wednesday's game. Even Tippett couldn't imagine Norstrom being part of the "committee."

Mike Ribeiro pushed the lead to 4-1 when his centering pass deflected off Ville Koistinen and Dan Ellis with 3.9 seconds remaining in the second.

--Milenko Martinovich

Ribeiro scores, Dallas leads 2-1

Mike Ribeiro slipped a rebound off a Matt Niskanen slap shot past Nashville goalie Dan Ellis to give the Stars a 2-1 lead. Ribeiro had been scoreless the past three games.

--Milenko Martinovich

Stars and Nashville tied 1-1 after first

Ville Koistinen's slap shot from the point got by Dallas goalie Mike Smith to tie the score at 1-1.

Dallas was only outshot by two (11-9), but Nashville has generated many more prime scoring chances. Smith has made some great stops to keep Nashville to one goal.

--Milenko Martinovich

Stars lead 1-0

Pretty goal to give the Stars the lead. Trevor Daley left a drop pass to Jussi Jokinen, who slid a cross-ice pass to Antti Miettinen. Miettinen ripped a one-timer past Ellis.

Puck about to drop

Jeff Halpern is again a scratch because of a sore groin.

Mike Smith in goal for the Stars. Former Star Dan Ellis in goal for Nashville.

Preds playing without Alexander Radulov (flu), who leads team with 24 goals.

--Milenko Martinovich

Gainey ceremony

I'm happy I got the remainder of the NHL Center Ice package for times like this: I'm watching the Bob Gainey ceremony out of Montreal, and they're about to hang his number from the rafters as I type. Gainey had a wonderful speech (most of it was in French, and I could make out about half of it), and it was great to see Gainey standing up at the podium, in full uniform including skates!

There was definitely some emotion for Gainey, who was surrounded by his family as his number was raised. Great, great night for the Canadiens up there. I'm guessing the team is going to be pretty motivated against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

By the way, Hockey Night in Canada has more commercials than the first quarter of an NFL game.

Sundin's choice

The Mats Sundin saga continues up in Toronto, as the longtime Maple Leafs center has been asked to waive his no-trade clause. But Sundin doesn't want to do that. The guy is 37 years old and doesn't want to move. As he said in the posted article below, he would've been more willing to do this at 27 or 28. But now...

Anyway, how does this change the landscape of the trade deadline if Sundin stays put?

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=230373&hubname=

The beat goes on

The Stars win another one over the Oilers, getting the 4-0-0 sweep this season. They outscored the Oilers 16-8 in those four games. I joked with Tippett on how the Stars must've set some sort of mark for scoring even-strength, power-play, shorthanded and empty-net goals in one game. He figured Mario Lemieux did it by himself at some point (probably did).

Anyway, onto other things. Great victory for these guys tonight. Lehtinen never ceases to amaze. Morrow looked like Alexander Ovechkin on that goal. Steve Ott is still a pain in the you-know-what.

For tomorrow: Mike Smith will get the start in Nashville. Jeff Halpern is a game-time decision. He'll try out that sore groin tomorrow morning. Philippe Boucher will make the trip but is not available to play just yet.

Modano with empty-netter

Mike Modano causes a turnover, then throws the easy empty-net shot in for a 5-1 advantage at 18:01.

That oughta do it, I would think. That's 17 goals this season for Modano, by the way.

Lehtinen again

He gets a big ol' turnover handed right to him, thanks to Edmonton defenseman Matt Greene. Lehtinen had a pretty easy 1 on 1, and he goes 5-hole on goaltender Dwayne Roloson for a 4-0 lead. Unassisted power-play goal at 4:32.

Shining Stars

I think this is what we would call a dominating performance. The Stars are just beating the Oilers in every possible way right now. Even with shorthanded goals. Shots are 28-14, favor Stars. Good stuff for the Stars so far.

Morrow gets his 25th

That should tie his career high, if I'm correct. And this was a nifty one.

Morrow actually whiffed a bit on his first shot, but it went through the legs of Jarret Stoll, and he was able to get the puck back, slide over and slip it in for a 3-0 lead. Steve Ott and Mattias Norstrom get assists at 17:13.

Lehtinen's turn

Jere Lehtinen is the second Stars player with a tap-in goal tonight, thanks to a great pass. Actually it was two great passes. Jokinen got it from one side to the other to Morrow, then Morrow slipped one through to the front for Lehtinen, who beat Mathieu Garon 5-hole.

Stars up 2-0 at 5:35 in the second period.

Feisty spice

That's my new name for Steve Ott, since I saw something on the Spice Girls today. He's been at it again in the first period of this one, bringing his venom to set the tone.

Great goal by Eriksson in the first, too. I'm sure Tippett would love to see him go to the net as often as possible, and maybe all he needs is some confidence in that area. That goal ought to give him some.

Pretty good first period for the stars, in all. They're already around the net quite a bit in the early moments of the second period.

Eriksson scores

Loui Eriksson gets his seventh goal of the season thanks to a great pass from Jussi Jokinen. Eriksson got in front of the net and basically tapped in a goal off Jokinen's feed. Trevor Daley gets the secondary assist on the goal, which comes at 16:34.

Temper, temper

Yep, they're already flaring between the Stars and Oilers. Krys Barch and Zach Stortini have duked it out (5 minutes each) and then Matt Greene started on Steve Ott and took a roughing for it.

Good times.

Tonight's lines

Ott-Modano-Lehtinen start this one out for the Stars. The others:

Hagman-Jokinen-Eriksson
Morrow-Ribeiro-Miettinen
Winchester-Lundqvist-Barch

Halpern out

Just announced scratches in the building and Jeff Halpern is out with that sore groin. I don't know if he'll be on the trip to Nashville.

Turco starts

Marty Turco gets the start tonight against Edmonton. Don't know if Mike Smith gets the nod in Nashville tomorrow night. Tippett gave the "we'll see" response to that one.

Jeff Halpern (groin) will be a gametime decision. Meanwhile, Philippe Boucher continues to improve. He could be back in the lineup next week.

In honour of Gainey

I had to use the Canadian spelling. Former Stars GM Bob Gainey will have his #23 retired by the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday night. I think I've stated before that I've never had the privilege to meet Mr. Gainey in his time in Dallas. But from what friends have told me, he's a great man. Considering the heartache he and his family have had to endure, it's great to see him be the focus of a celebration.

Stars co-general manager Les Jackson was flying up there this morning to catch the festivities on Saturday. Fellow co-GM Brett Hull will not be in Montreal, but Hull still had plenty of kind words for Gainey: "He was a great player and is a great man and great manager. He may not have been your prototypical (Guy) Lafleur or (Maurice) Richard, but he was the blue-collar guy who could play the game well."

Thursday musings

Hey kids,

Sorry I'm getting in late with this one. The one news item out of today was that Jeff Halpern was out with a groin issue. He's questionable for tomorrow's game against the Oilers. I asked Tippett about his changes to the top line midway through Wednesday's game, specifically moving Jere Lehtinen up with Brenden Morrow and Mike Ribeiro. Just trying to get a spark. Whether it's done again tonight, I don't know.

No decision on the goaltender. Time for Smith again? He hasn't played since Feb. 9, when the Stars held Turco out one more day after getting crunched in the Feb. 5 Vancouver game.

Lost opportunity

It's one thing to have a tough battle against a team and lose, and it's another to have some gaffes that prove very costly. Not that the Stars didn't battle, they just didn't do it often enough. And Jarome Iginla should never, ever, be left alone in the middle of the ice.

Anyway, the Stars are reminded of something tonight: Desperation can yield some big hockey. They'll be dealing with another desperate team on Friday in the Edmonton Oilers. Now I know their history against the Oilers is a lot more lopsided, but there's still no time to kick back and rest on the success of the past.

Colorado and Anaheim are tied right now with about nine minutes remaining in the third. If the Ducks win, they're within four points of the Stars. The San Jose Sharks already lost today... they're having a brutal time on that East Coast trip.

Iginla scores

Daymond Langkow beats Nicklas Grossman down the ice to nullify icing, and Langkow passes to an all-by-his-lonesome Jarome Iginla in front of the net. That comes at 17:33.

That one might have hurt.

Told you so...

Told you they'd change that goal. I'm not right often so let me enjoy this.

Mattias Norstrom has been credited with that goal after all. It's his first goal this season, and actually his first as a Dallas Star. Mike Modano and Steve Ott on the assists.

Ott scores

I thought this was Mattias Norstrom's goal, but apparently Steve Ott got his 11th of the season, tipping this one in past Curtis Joseph on the Stars' fourth power play. This was a biggie for the Stars, as they nullified any joy or momentum the Flames may have gotten from that shorthanded attempt.

Norstrom and Mike Modano on the assists. Don't be surprised if this one gets changed.

Flames regain lead

This was just a weird turn of events. Stephane Robidas looked to have a shot past Curtis Joseph, but it dribbled and stopped at the goal line. Meanwhile, Cory Sarich recovers it, throws it to Alex Tanguay, and he's off to the races for a shot that went off the post and in for a 2-1 lead.

Not so good.

Hagman again

I'm just surprised it's not the gamewinner, but give him time.

Niklas Hagman takes a great pass from Nicklas Grossman, and beats CuJo 5-hole to tie this one just 16 seconds into the second period. I don't know if it hit Flames defenseman Rhett Warrener's stick or not, but it's a big goal either way.

It's Hagman's 22nd of the season. Grossman and Stephane Robidas on the assists.

Sluggish like a wet sponge

The Stars may be outshooting the Flames, but the Flames spent a lot of time in the Stars zone. As a result, they're up 1-0. It was almost 2-0, save a shot that hit the post.

Mattias Norstrom was run into the penalty box door, which came open, near the end of the first period. Looks like he may have hurt his left shoulder (he was leaning over toward that side, favoring it, as time ran out). We'll see what happens.

Flames up first

It comes on the power play, as the Flames take a 1-0 lead. Alex Tanguay gets a backhand up high over Marty Turco, who was sitting on the red line. Owen Nolan and Adrian Aucoin on the assists at 13:29.

Lines

The trio of Hagman-Jokinen-Lehtinen start this one. The rest of the lines:
Ott-Modano-Eriksson
Morrow-Ribeiro-Miettinen
Lundqvist-Halpern-Barch

Ott and Iginla have already gone at it. Ott was just a nuisance for Iginla up in Calgary at the start of the month, so count on him doing the same thing tonight.
Curtis Joseph in net for the Flames tonight. Turco for the Stars.

Boucher, Zubov updates

Philippe Boucher continues to skate. Following morning skate, Dave Tippett said Boucher, "won't be a player this week, but possibly next week." That's great news. You can see the chomping-at-the-bit look starting to creep onto Boucher's face in practice. But he, like any player coming off a long injury, is by no means willing to rush back too soon.

Sergei Zubov, meanwhile, is still walking around but not skating. Tippett said they may have a better idea by the start of next week when he could resume skating.

Oh Canada

Aaah, it's time for another round of Canadian opponents, beginning with the Flames tonight. I love these games. They're always entertaining and there's plenty of feistiness. As Tippett said, "they're a desperate team," looking for points in a tight Western Conference.

Then again, is there any team that isn't desperate right now? Everyone's trying to hold on to or reach something, aren't they?

Turco to start

Marty Turco will get the start when the Stars and Flames square off on Wednesday. No big surprise there. Turco's pretty darned good against the Canadian teams, but he's been pretty darned good against everyone right now.