Five for Fighting

Monday, Monday

That was a great song, wasn't it? It was a kick-back Monday for us today, since the Stars were off (well some guys went to Frisco for off-ice stuff, etc., but no organized practice).

Not a whole lot to report today, other than the fact that Sergei Zubov is still day to day. We'll see if he's out there practicing tomorrow. I'm going to assume he is, since he was out on the West Coast.

Oh, and I asked Dave Tippett about Marty Turco's run-in with Brad May at the end of the first period on Sunday. He said it wasn't much of anything. May apparently made it look worse than it was. Anyway, didn't sound like it was anything that would get Turco in trouble.

That's all I got for now, kids. See you tomorrow.

Point taken

The Stars continue to put on the happy face. I guess they're just happy to get the playoff situation taken care of (the fact that they're in, anyway). But this was a game they needed -- NEEDED -- to win, really. If they win, they're within two of getting the No. 4 seed and home ice in the first round. They also get a big boost heading into the final three games.

Marty Turco played well enough to win. More than well enough, actually. The guy's had his bad games lately (high-sticking double-minor in San Jose), but this wasn't one of them. Great performance, and it went by the wayside because the Stars couldn't get one more goal. They were also without jump through the first half of this one, and that's a little scary. Aren't you supposed to be up for games like this?
Other random thoughts: Niklas Hagman looks a little more like himself right now. There's no excuse for the penalty situation in the first two periods. Stop hooking, for gosh sakes.
Coach Dave Tippett talked about the team being tired. That's not good to hear. I know they had three games in a short amount of time, but this is after four days without one. And they went from L.A. to Anaheim. Not like they were jumping around the states.

Anyway, we head home tomorrow morning. The Stars won't practice again until Tuesday, then they've got the back-to-back with Phoenix before finishing with San Jose on Saturday. We'll see what happens.

Hagman ties it

There's a misplayed puck behind Giguere, and Niklas Hagman takes advantage. Toby Petersen gets around Marc-Andre Bergeron behind the net, and the puck ends up on Hagman's stick right in front of Giguere. Stars tie it 2-2 at the 1:53 mark. Petersen gets the assist.

I believe the Stars only need one point to clinch a playoff berth, so if they can at least hold on for that...

Whew

That's what the Stars might be feeling right now, considering they're 16 seconds away from killing off the Ducks' seventh power play. They got through 47 seconds worth of 5 on 3 as the second period wound down.

Don't know what the Stars are doing right now. They're committing a lot of those catch-up penalties right now -- Barnes and Daley were both called for hooking on this last little mess -- and they're using all their energy to kill off penalties.

Schneider gets another

The Ducks regain the lead as Mathieu Schneider is right there in the slot to take a pass from Ryan Getzalf. Ducks up 2-1 14:54 into the second period. Teemu Selanne on the second assist.

The Stars started getting a little chasey again in their own zone, and the Ducks were taking advantage.

Modano scores

This was a pretty one, and a reminder that Modano is still a sniper. Great back-and-forth between he and Brenden Morrow, and then Modano just laced this one past Giguere.

Stars tie it, with assists from Morrow and Lehtinen, at 6:45 in the second period.

First is finished

At least the Stars spent more time in the Ducks' zone, beginning with their power play at the 14:33 mark. The Ducks were all over them through the first few minutes, and outshot them 10-3 for the period. The Stars need to get some traffic around Giguere. Most of the shots are still slappers from near the blue line. There's been a puck or two hovering around close to Giguere, but the Stars haven't been able to get to one fast enough to do some damage with it.

We'll see how the next two go.

Ducks up 1-0

Mathieu Schneider scores on the Ducks' second power play (they had another one end just a few moments ago) to put the Duckies up 1-0. The Stars are chasing a lot right now, and committing the penalties that drive coaches crazy.

The Stars have just one shot on goal, and that was by Steve Ott on the first shift. The Ducks, meanwhile, have nine shots. Marty Turco's already had to make a few choice saves.

Tonight's lines

Ott-Modano-Barnes start it off again tonight in Anaheim. Here are the others:

Morrow-Ribeiro-Lehtinen
Eriksson-Richards-Miettinen
Hagman-Petersen-Crombeen

Jean-Sebastien Giguere is starting in goal for the Duckies. Scratches for the Stars are Mark Fistric, Joel Lundqvist, Krys Barch and Brad Winchester.

Much better

Ah, just what the coaches and GMs ordered: A complete, one-sided game against a team the Stars should have that type of outing. Power play, penalty kill, etc., it was all good. This is what they should've done last Saturday against the Kings.

I'm liking Jere Lehtinen back with Morrow and Ribeiro. They're doing great things, and everybody's scoring on that line (or in Ribeiro's case, setting everyone else up to score). Loui Eriksson looked like he was determined to get that hat trick in the third period. The defense was very solid in allowing the Kings very little.

Now the Stars need to channel this for tomorrow night against the Ducks. As Mike Ribeiro said, this one's going to be a much tougher contest. Can the Stars get to within two points of the Ducks, and fourth place in the conference? We'll see. It's doubtful, however, that we'll see Sergei Zubov tomorrow night.

Larry's back

Sorry, had to do it. Niklas Hagman ends his scoring drought with a goal in the third period. He fought hard for this one, too, battling a few Kings along the boards behind the net before he jammed it through new Kings goaltender Daniel Taylor. It's 7-2 now after L.A. got one about a minute ago.

Still, I think it's a solid five-goal lead.

Not bad

Good two periods for the Stars, who have given themselves a nice little lead thanks, mainly, to the power play. The Kings didn't do a whole lot offensively. How could they, since they were killing penalties the entire period? Nevertheless, the angst of the Kings fans was heard with about two minutes remaining in the second period. The Kings got a shot on Marty Turco, and the home crowd cheered; it was only the Kings' second shot of the period.

Loui, part 2

Stars and Kings in a little 4 on 4 since the penalty situation is getting ridiculous. Anyway, Loui Eriksson gets another one, once again set up by Brad Richards, and the Stars are now up 5-1.

Long second period.

Four-spot

The Stars go up 4-1 thanks to another power-play opportunity, this one a double-minor high-sticking on Scott Thornton.

The Stars score on the second power play, when Brad Richards spotted Loui Eriksson coming through the slot. Good pass, good finish, and it's 4-1 at 10:24. Richards and Trevor Daley on the assists.

The Kings have six shots on goal for the game, and just one in the period thus far.

Morrow makes it 3-1

Brenden Morrow gets goal No. 31 on the power play, as the Stars go up 3-1 at 6:15 in the second period. Stephane Robidas' shot set it up, as his blast got through Erik Ersberg enough to just sit in the crease. Morrow just tapped it in from there. Assists to Robidas and Ribeiro.

STUUUUU!

The Stars talk about getting breaks their way. They got a nice one here. Stu Barnes' shot caroms off the leg of Kings defenseman Kevin Dallman and in as the Stars take a 2-1 lead just 16 seconds into the second. Mike Modano and Mattias Norstrom on the assists.

The Stars just got whistled for too many men on the ice.. Kings power play commencing.

Robidas ties it

Yep, it's that stellar scorer Stephane Robidas evening the score on the power play. Mike Ribeiro was lulling the Kings to sleep behind the net, and his quick pass to Robidas set this one up. Ribeiro and Lehtinen on the assists at 13:29.

Kings up

I'm running behind, and so are the Stars now. Despite the fact that the Stars have spent most of the early minutes in the L.A. zone, they still don't have a shot on goal. The Kings, meanwhile, score on their first SOG, thanks to a beautiful pass from Dustin Brown to Kevin Dallman at the 6:09 mark.

Brenden Morrow just got called for slashing. Kingies on the power play.

Lines

Hey folks. Here are the lines for the Stars vs. Kings on Saturday, March 29:

Ott-Modano-Barnes
Morrow-Ribeiro-Lehtinen
Eriksson-Richards-Miettinen
Hagman-Petersen-Crombeen

Nicklas Grossman, Krys Barch, Brad Winchester and Joel Lundqvist are scratches. I'm still questioning scratching Grossman.

Not quite on Zubov

Sergei Zubov looked pretty good out there in practice today, but Tippett said he's doubtful for today's game against the Loss Angeles Kings. Oh well. There's always hope we'll see him Sunday night against Anaheim. Actually, I wouldn't be surprised if it's just a choice of keeping him out of the L.A. game so he's good and ready on the second half of this back-to-back. Why throw him in for the Kingies if not completely necessary. And it shouldn't be necessary.

Then again, I thought that game would be a cakewalk for the Stars last Saturday, so that shows what I know.

Philippe Boucher said he felt fine after last night's game. Little tight, little rust, but that's it. Not a whole lot else to report, so we'll see you tomorrow.

Bad ending

The Stars talked positives after their overtime loss to San Jose. Sure, there were some there. But when you lose a game like this again, with bad mistakes, can you still focus on those positives? I don't know. It was one of the strangest things I've ever seen, this overtime, considering the penalties taken.

Marty Turco called his high-sticking, "nothing short of dumb." Coach Dave Tippett was none too happy with Trevor Daley's hook: "The rule changed three years ago. How we can keep sticking sticks in a guy's stomach just baffles me." As far as Turco's penalty, Tippett said, "I don't know what Marty was thinking about."

Yes, the Stars were more solid in other areas. But a bad mistake is a bad mistake, and they have to stop. Just five games left, folks.

Thornton ties it

Ah, you knew he had to rear his head at some point, right? Turco can't stop his one-timer, which was the Sharks' first shot of the period, and we're looking at a 2-2 game at the 6:08 mark.

Holding on

The Stars were more defensive in this period, but they still walk away with the lead. They ought to remember that during their intermission talk. Marty Turco's had some big saves and has been key with puck-handling throughout the game, especially on penalty kills.

Now comes the third period... which Stars team will we see?

Lehtinen's tally

The Stars get a 5-on-3 power play after the Sharks get whistled for too many men. Just 29 seconds into that double advantage, Mike Ribeiro laces a beauty to Jere Lehtinen, whose shot goes off Nabokov's foot and in for a 2-1 lead. That comes at 12:29, with Ribeiro and Modano on the assists.

Getting a little crazy in here.... Marty stops two 1 on 1 shots this period.

Sharks tie it

B.J. Crombeen goes afer Kyle McLaren after McLaren's hit on Toby Petersen, gets an instigator penalty, and the Sharks capitalize. Joe Pavelski gets one under Marty Turco on the stick side, as the Sharks tie it up on their fourth power play of the game.

Thinks are starting to get snarky right now... now it's a true Stars-Sharks game.

Strong first

That's what the Stars needed against these guys, and they got it. Three penalties in the first period isn't too good of an idea, especially when San Jose almost finds the equalizer from Milan Michalek late. But the Stars dictate, they outshoot the Sharks 11-7, their penalty kill is holding up and their first power play was one of the better ones they've had in some time.

I think I could hear Brenden Morrow's primal scream from up here after he scored that goal. Think he's trying to motivate the troops just a little?

Morrow hits the big 3-0

In goals, kids, not age. Ah, to be young again.... Sorry

Anyway, the Stars get one at the end of a great-looking power play. Just as PP time elapses, Brenden Morrow gets one through a prone Evgeni Nabokov for a 1-0 lead at 15:59 of the first period. Credit Mike Modano for the wicked shot just previous to this. The save Nabokov had to make on that goal left him out of position, and nobody picked up Morrow on Nabokov's left side.

Modano and Mike Ribeiro on the assists.

Other lines

Sorry, here are the other three lines:
Morrow-Ribeiro-Lehtinen
Hagman-Richards-Eriksson
Lundqvist-Petersen-Crombeen

Antti Miettinen, Krys Barch, Brad Winchester and Nicklas Grossman are the scratches.

Ott-Modano-Barnes

That's our starting line tonight against the Sharks. I'm a little perplexed, only because of Tuesday's practice when Modano was with Richards and Barnes. I was wondering if this was a brief ruse, just a starter line before Richards and Mo are paired together later.

Bet I'm wrong. By the way, Boucher is out there with Mark Fistric.

Boucher in tonight

Defenseman Philippe Boucher got the green light and he will be in the lineup tonight against San Jose. Talked with Boucher after morning skate today, and you could see how excited he was at the thought of getting back. It's been a tough year for the guy, but he's ready to finish up the regular season and get ready for the playoffs.

I'm pretty sure Boucher was with Trevor Daley in skate today, but we'll see where he fits in come gametime.

Zubov, Boucher getting closer

Dallas Stars coach Dave Tippett said defensemen Sergei Zubov (foot) and Philippe Boucher (shoulder) are "day to day" and getting closer to returning. Boucher will be re-evaluated Thursday morning to see if he could be possibly ready for San Jose. Zubov is unlikely to return Thursday.

Lines were again shook up in practice with Mike Modano returning to a checking line with Steve Ott and Stu Barnes. Brad Richards, who was teamed with Modano and Barnes on Monday, centered a line with Niklas Hagman and Loui Eriksson.

--Milenko Martinovich

Fat Tuesday

Sorry, just feeling full after a big lunch. There really wasn't any practice day to speak of. It was picture day, then rest-yer-bones day.

Sergei Zubov and Philippe Boucher skated after the pictures were done, and both say they're feeling better by the day. When do they play? Up in the air. If Boucher plays on Thursday, Dave Tippett said he would have to have a great Wednesday practice. Both will be on the trip, so we'll see if either/both are in for Saturday or Sunday's game.

More changes

It's lost its news-flash appeal, hasn't it? Anyway, there were some different lines out there again today. Biggest was Brad Richards centering a line with Mike Modano at left wing and Stu Barnes on the right. Definitely a different look, so we'll see where this goes. Here are other changes:

Morrow and Ribeiro were with Jere Lehtinen. Steve Ott centered with Joel Lundqvist and Loui Eriksson and Niklas Hagman was with center Toby Petersen and right wing B.J. Crombeen. Tippett called that final group the best line out there today.

Speaking of today: Bit of a two-a-day for the Stars. Practice first, then a little zamboni run on the ice and the boys were back out there in a scrimmage. The Stars are doing just about everything to install some inspiration right now. Too bad we have to wait another three days to find out of it'll work.

Not-so-Happy Easter

So much for off days, eh? A collapse in the last three minutes of a game will surely deny you some down time, so the Stars were right back at it on this Easter Sunday. There were a lot of one-on-one drills going on between forward and defenseman, and then about 15 minutes' worth of skating up and back (you remember those sprints from your high school basketball days, right? I know I do!)

Anyway, there's no doubt coach Dave Tippett wasn't happy. Very few words between coach and players. And when the Stars finished their sprints, Tippett skated off without having the usual last gathering and talk.

So here are some other updates: Jere Lehtinen was off today with a tight hip flexor/groin. Sergei Zubov did not skate after skating hard on Saturday. Philippe Boucher was out there doing just about everything with his teammates. Both defensemen will be on the West Coast trip this week.

B.J. Crombeen will also be coming up later today. I loved Crombeen's style when he was up here about two months ago: Big guy, not afraid to get a little physical and not afraid to take a shot, either. The Stars could use some of that right now.

OK, I'm off to find a chocolate egg. Funny, I gave up desserts for Lent, and I have no desire to have one today. That's just a dirty shame, really.

Speechless

I have a few friends who will chuckle when I say this. But seriously, I have run out of things to say about this group right now. I have no idea what's happened, no idea why things have gotten so bad.

Well, I have one theory. I'm a big believer in mental state, and how a strong or weak one can sway you to incredible extremes. That seems to be happening right now with these boys. The third period begins, and it's like someone flips a switch. They stop dictating. They stop pushing. They start getting on their heels and defending way too much. It's unbelievable, really.

This is the same team that won 12 games in February, right? Anyone out there have an idea of what's happening here?

Are you kidding?

You knew there had to be some drama, right?

Trevor Daley's attempt to get ahold of the puck goes awry, and Michal Handzus scores at the 16:59 mark. Then, less than a minute later, Stars-killer Lubomir Visnovsky gets one through for a 3-2 lead.

Aaah, not to be outdone, Handzus scores again. This may go beyond meltdown.

STUUU!

Stu Barnes moves up to the top line, with Antti Miettinen struggling, and the glue makes it work.

Barnes wristed a pretty one high and in to give the Stars a 2-1 lead. The Stars had given up a power-play goal a few minutes before, so they needed this one. They're back to showing a lot more jump again. Much-needed, by the way.

Other changes right now: Eriksson-Richards-Lundqvist; Ott-Modano-Lehtinen.

Morrow's 29th

Brenden Morrow gets in the right place and collects his 29th goal in the process. Sitting right in front, with no Kings apparently willing to move him, Morrow deflects a Matt Niskanen shot in for a power-play goal and a 1-0 lead at 13:08. Trevor Daley gets the second assist.

Stars 1-1 on the power play today after going 0 for 7 against the Duckies.

Otter's army

A big ol' cheer went up when Steve Ott's name was announced for the starters just a moment ago. You think they missed this guy the past few games?

Me thinks so.

Zubov in practice

I was a bit surprised to see him skating with the teammates, in full gear, on Friday. But there was Sergei Zubov, doing just that. Good luck keeping the reins on that guy over these next few days. But relax, folks, he won't be playing tomorrow. Looks like they won't truly get a good evaluation of him for a few more days, probably by mid-week.

Philippe Boucher was out there again, too, but he's also out for tomorrow. Steve Ott is in; no doubt he's ready to unleash a little venom. Marty Turco will get the start tomorrow.

Prospects signed

The stars signed forward Tyler Shelast and goaltender Matt Climie to deals on Thursday. Shelast, who just finished his senior year at Michigan Tech University, signed a two-year entry-level contract. He played in 39 games this past season, tallying 16 goals and 10 assists. Climie, coming from Bemidji State University, signed a one-year deal. He went 14-8-3 with a 2.16 goals-against average and five shutouts.

Thursday update

I love my hockey, but let's be honest... this is college basketball's day. I love these first two days, especially, of the tournament. And, boy, does this stuff look good in HD. I can see the individual threads in Baylor's uniform.

Anyway, onto practice. Sergei Zubov skated before the team this morning. I asked him how it went: "Not bad. Not bad at all." Dave Tippett said Zubov told him he was "pleasantly surprised." Good things to hear. Philippe Boucher skated with the team, but that's really all he was doing. No big timetable yet for this one. He's just thrilled that he's not skating by himself anymore.

Steve Ott will be back in the lineup on Saturday. No doubt the guy is buzzing to get back in there, and if nothing else the Stars could use his energy.

Big, big, huge, ginormous game on Saturday. Every game is a must-win now, really. But these guys need a statement game. They need to come out so angry and fiery and determined that they beat the Kings in every way possible. They need a reversal of fortune. Badly. (Yeah, that's my news flash of the day).

Ugly

That could describe a few things. That last goal, definitely. This latest losing streak, definitely.

This whole mess, definitely.

I don't know what's gone so wrong this month. Tonight there were several problems. No power play against a team you've scored so many power-play goals against this season. Bad penalties (sorry, there were bad ones on both sides. Just be careful). And a terrible goal at the end.

The Stars' third periods are still bad, since that's where they continue to find ways to get all befuddled and fall apart (whether it's one person or several). I just don't know what to think right now, folks. It's games like these that make you feel jaded, make you wonder if you're just getting ready to cover another first-round loss. I'm hoping against hope that's not the case. But this team has to get better fast.

Oh, and some good news: Sergei Zubov will be skating tomorrow. Can't get him back fast enough right now.

Almost, not quite...

The Stars had at least three good chances to go up on the Ducks. But when the puck was there, the stick wasn't. Brad Winchester's chance was a big one. So was Niklas Hagman's. Passes by Stu Barnes and Jere Lehtinen on the respective opportunities were great, and you'd like to see a team convert those.

Oh well... onto the third period. We'll see if the Stars reverse their recent trend with this final 20 minutes. The last few have been pretty forgettable.

Niedermayer scores

That didn't take long, did it?

Scott Niedermayer scores on a dribbler just five seconds into Anaheim's second power play. Marty Turco wanted an interference call on Todd Bertuzzi, who was pretty close to him in the crease. Nada.

About 30 seconds later Bertuzzi is called for interference. Okey dokey.

Good first 20

I'll go back to what I've said before (and I could be proven wrong by the end of the game): If the Stars played everyone like they played the Ducks this season, there wouldn't be many problems with their game.

The Duckies seem to bring out the best in these guys this season, and it came through again in the first period. Granted, things really picked up after the Barch-May brawl. Morrow's goal was a pretty one, indeed, and now the Stars have gotten 11 of their 22 goals vs. the Ducks thanks to special teams this season.

Pretty good stat.

Morrow scores a shorty

This is why Marty Turco's play with the puck is a tremendous lift for this team.

He caroms a clear off the glass, Mathieu Schneider can't stop it with the glove, and Brenden Morrow is off to the races for a shorthanded goal to give the Stars a 1-0 lead. Giguere didn't seem to know what to do with this one, and he was still standing when the shot went through his legs.

Credit Marty with the only assist.

Barch, May get to rumblin'

I don't know why they don't just pencil this in for every matchup between these two teams...

Krys Barch and Brad May duked it out about six minutes into the first period. As usual, it was a good one. I'd call it a draw, with both landing their share of punches. They showed Barch on the big screen a second ago, he's got an ice back on his right hand.

Good times.

Tonight's lines

Game on, kids. The trio of Eriksson-Modano-Lundqvist starts it out. The rest as follows:
Hagman-Richards-Lehtinen
Morrow-Ribeiro-Miettinen
Winchester-Barnes-Barch

Stars are finishing up their first power play of the night... not so much happening. But that's been their bread and butter against the Ducks this season.

Zubov update tonight

We didn't get word about anything at today's morning skate thanks to all the travel woes of yesterday. The docs were checking in with Sergei Zubov in Frisco this morning while the rest of the team skated at the AAC. Coach Dave Tippett said there should be an update tonight after the game.

Practice musings

First, it's good to be back. I'm like an addict with my hockey now, and I got my fix today. So everyone around me is safe. Now, on to practice talk:

Dave Tippett described today's practice as "spirited." It better be, considering the Duckies are coming to town tomorrow. I know the Stars are 5-1 against the Ducks this season, so this game will either jolt them back or be devastating. One of those four-point games the players always talk about, but the Ducks are surging.
Anyway, Stephane Robidas had some swelling on the left side of his face, the side that went into the goalpost against Vancouver last weekend. Ouch. He wore the caged mask today, and said he'll be wearing it for a little bit.
The lines were the same today as they were against Vancouver the other night.
Well, I think that's about it. I just got HD television this morning and I'm mesmerized. Honestly, I may never leave the house again.

Zubov antsy

I talked with Sergei Zubov this morning about his return. The guy's just itching to get back into the lineup (no surprise there). In his words, "I'm just going crazy, you know." Zubov was set to actually see his doctor today, but with the weather situation as it is, coach Dave Tippett wasn't sure when the doctor was getting into town. Either way, it's going to take a very clear "go ahead" before he starts doing anything. Here's a little more of Zubov:

"It's no fun. It's two months and it's frustrating. You can't really do anything about it. But I'm looking forward (to getting back). I'm excited, and I'm ready to jump right back in. It's just a matter of days now."
"The toughest thing for a player is to sit  and watch. When you talk about two months and missing 20-something games, it's quite difficult. I'm just going crazy, you know."

Zubov up for Masterton

Sergei Zubov was nominated for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy by the Dallas chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association. The trophy is presented annually to the NHL player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.

This has to be one of the toughest seasons of Zubov's career. The man loves the game, and his groin and foot injuries have kept him away for about two months now. The Stars are hoping he's skating by the end of this week and playing by the end of the month. No doubt they could use his services, and his leadership, right now.

Dallas loses 4-3; where to go from here?

For a team that should have been itching to get back on the ice after the meltdown in Detroit, the Stars sure didn't seem like it. The Canucks are a good team that is playing hungry trying to secure a playoff berth so Dallas should have expected a strong effort. They got one and couldn't answer the bell.

Although Dallas rallied and almost salvaged a point, there are some deep, deep issues with this team. The mistakes they're making are killing them. You could blame it on the three rookie defensemen before, but Stars coach Dave Tippett said veteran players were just as culpable Saturday.

So where do they go from here? Two of their next three games are against Anaheim and San Jose. If Dallas has any inkling of winning the division, they have to get at least three of four possible points. Right now, the way they're playing, I don't know if they can do it.

-- Milenko Martinovich

Vancouver back on top

Brendan Morrison deflected a Markus Naslund pass past Marty Turco to give the Canucks a 4-3 lead with 16:56 remaining in the game. The pay was reviewed, but Vancouver was awarded the goal.

--Milenko Martinovich

Stars, Canucks tied at 3-3

Brad Richards scored on a shorthanded breakway to tie the score at 3-3.

Great effort by the Stars in the second period. There was a jump to their game and they displayed some real intensity.

--Milenko Martinovich

Dallas down 3-2

Mike Modano scored a power-play goal to trim Vancouver's lead to 3-2.

Marty Turco is in net for Dallas.

--Milenko Martinovich

Stars get on the board

Joel Lundqvist scored with 13.3 seconds remaining in the first period to trim Vancouver's lead to 3-1.

We'll see if it gives the Stars a lift heading into the second period because they need a spark. Considering their meltdown against Detroit on Thursday, a fired up Stars effort should have been expected.

--Milenko Martinovich

Yikes

Vancouver has scored three goals on its first nine shots and lead 3-0 wih 7:15 remaining in first.

The Stars really look uninspired and it's showing in their play.

--Milenko Martinovich

Holmqvist off to rough start

Vancouver scored on its first shot of the game as Matt Pettinger's wrister slipped past Stars goalie Joahn Holmqvist, making his first start as a Dallas Star. Holmqvist starting is peculiar considering Turco has a good record against Vancouver.

--Milenko Martinovich

Pronger suspended

I was actually pretty close in games when I blogged about it this morning, although I really think it should've been more:
Ducks defenseman Chris Pronger was suspended eight games by the NHL today for his stomping Ryan Kesler. Here's what bothers me: In talking about the suspension, Colin Campbell said Pronger "carelessly and recklessly" brought his foot down on Kessler's ankle. Reckless and careless actions are only worth eight games?

Curious at the opinions on this.

Saturday morning musings

Hey folks,
I can tell I'm getting stir-crazy, as I wait to get back to work on Monday. So until I get the go-ahead, I'm bringing my nervous energy to the blog. I apologize for any damage I cause in my wake. Anyway, some random thoughts:

1. I'm a little concerned (OK, more than a little) about the Stars' lack of giddy-up against the opposition right now. It used to be just against the teams fighting for postseason spots. Now it's against just about everyone. The Stars always talk about desperation. That goes against everyone come March and April.
2. I owe a huge apology to Evgeni Nabokov. A big, whopping, ginormous apology. I figured the San Jose netminder would be getting tired or hurt or something by now. Instead he's just whipping along like he's played 70-plus games per season his entire career. San Jose is getting scary at a time when a team wants to get scary.
3. Anaheim defenseman Chris Pronger should be suspended (at least seven games IMO) for his stomp on Vancouver center Ryan Kesler's ankle. The NHL apparently had poor video the last few days and didn't see it clearly until now. I'm sure an uproar by a few folks (including stompmaster Chris Simon) didn't hurt the organization's vision, either. Here's the story on TSN about the incident.
4. I want to know the secret of the Pittsburgh Penguins. They lose Sidney Crosby for weeks (and tack another one onto that as of today) with a bum ankle, their goaltender with the same issue, and they're doing just fine. I also want to know how many Ty Conklin jerseys have been sold in the greater Pittsburgh area.
5. If a team from the Southeast Conference fell and no one was there to hear it, did it really make a sound? Sorry, I just can't build any intrigue at all about that conference.
6. The Stars really, really, reeeeely need this one tonight. Anaheim is just one point behind them right now. This ship needs to get righted. Now.

Changes coming

The Mike Modano-Brad Richards experiment may be over for now. At Friday's practice, Morrow was back on a line with Mike Ribeiro and Antti Miettinen. Richards was centering a line with NIklas Hagman and Jere Lehtinen while Modano was centering a new checking line with Loui Eriksson and Joel Lundqvist.

I think Ribeiro gets a lift out of being reunited with Morrow. Ribeiro was at his best playing with Morrow and I think we'll see a creative game from Ribeiro against Vancouver.

--Milenko Martinovich

Something wicked this way comes...

The third period continues to be 20 minutes worth of Hades for the Stars. What is this, the third or fourth game they've lost by giving up three goals in the third period? Not good, kids. Not good. This is another game when the Stars had a little adversity coming in (with Steve Ott's suspension) and didn't get that extra gear going.

And losing a 3-1 lead in any building, especially that one, is a bit worrisome to me.

What the...

I swear I stepped away for no more than 10 minutes... and then I see it's 4-3 Wings? Uh boy. I'm guessing things got a little sloppy, but I'll check out the replays to see for myself.

Either way, yikes. This lead was 3-1 at one point, wasn't it?

Getting tight

The Wings have made this one a little intriguing, haven't they? It was a pretty darned nice period for the Stars up until the last two minutes or so. Nevertheless, I'm impressed with how the Stars have looked during most of this game. And how much did Brenden Morrow need that goal?

A good start

Watching this one from home tonight, and I looked up slightly surprised that the Stars scored so early in this one. Getting one in the first against Detroit isn't a typical sight, but a good one nonetheless.

Gotta keep those penalties down, though, against this group.

Well, I hung out long enough on the post to see Jere Lehtinen's goal. Beautiful little deke from Joel Lundqvist's pass. Now stay out the box, eh?

Ott suspension official

The NHL officially suspended Stars forward Steve Ott three games for his hit on Colorado's Jordan Leopold on Sunday. The league viewed the incident as a hit to the head. Leopold missed the rest of that game and last night's game against Atlanta.

Ott will miss Thursday's game in Detroit, Saturday's game against Vancouver and next Wednesday's game agaimst Anaheim.

Ott held firm at today's practice believing his hit was legal and the length of the suspension was excessive.

--Milenko Martinovich

Sweet win for Stars

The Stars' victory was sweet not just because of the result, but because of how they won. Joel Lundqvist brought some grit and physical play throwing around his body. Stephane Robidas and Mattias Norstrom were strong as well as Marty Turco saw about every shot in his direction. The newly constructed line of Mike Modano, Brad Richards and Brenden Morrow was excellent as well combining for five points.

Dallas needed this win heading to Detroit. Catching the Red Wings seems to be a pipe dream considering Dallas is seven points back and Detroit has three games in hand on Dallas. The difference could be nine points if Detroit defeats Chicago on Tuesday.

What the Stars need to focus on is securing the Pacific Division. Finishing second or third in the Pacific all but guarantees a first-round date with either Anaheim or San Jose. A win in Detroit would be a confidence-builder if they were to meet in the postseason, but the points are more crucial trying to keep San Jose and Anaheim at bay.

--Milenko Martinovich

Richards' notches first goal as a Star

Brad Richards scored his first goal as a Dallas Star midway through the second period and Dallas has a 3-0 lead. Mike Modano corralled a Colorado turnover then engineered a 3-on-2 with Richards and Morrow, who found Richards all alone on the right flank for an easy one-timer.

--Milenko Martinovich

Dallas 2, Colorado 0 end of 1st

The Stars played with the desperation and intensity they've lacked during this three-game winning streak. They were buzzing in Colorado's zone with numerous scoring chances and their defense did not allow a shot in the first period.

Will it continue? Dallas played well the first two periods in Colorado on Saturday and sputtered in the third.

--Milenko Martinovich

Stars looking good

The Stars are just dominating right now. Stu Barnes and Stephane Robidas scored less than two minutes part and Dallas is leading 2-0 midway through the first. Colorado doesn't even have a shot on goal yet.

The Stars have mixed their lines. Mike Ribeiro is centering Antti Miettinen and Niklas Hagman while Mike Modano is centering Brad Richards and Brenden Morrow. So far so good.