Tra's downer of a Top 10

I have been called the queen of nice and/or optimism many times. Just consider myself a happy person who always looks on the bright side. There's enough stinking negativity in this world.

But right now, it's hard to see positives with the Stars. So let's talk about today, shall we?

    1, Five straight losses. So much for February being their hot month. So much for home ice being so advantageous. The Stars had a great opportunity to keep pace in the Western Conference and they squandered it.
    2, Top guys are gassed. The Stars' top players have given all they've got, according to coach Dave Tippett, and they may be running out of steam. Stephane Robidas? Mike Ribeiro? Jere Lehtinen? A ton of minutes, a ton of work, and that wears you out after a while, which brings me to our next topic...
    3, Where are the opportunists? This is my online column subject, so I'll be brief. Players missing means an opportunity for someone else. Anyone else. Nobody is taking advantage of this. That is why this team is in trouble.
    4, No Fabian Brunnstrom today. When asked why the left wing was scratched, Dave Tippett said: "He needs a day off. Too many practices, too many games right now." How am I reading that? Brunnstrom isn't cutting it right now.
    5, Evgeni Malkin is a god. OK, there is one positive in my Top 10. I'm positive Malkin is freaking great. He makes Sidney Crosby's absence easier to take, ay?
    6, He said it. Defenseman Darryl Sydor: "It's getting ugly. It's just disappointing, regarding the fact that we worked hard for one and a half, two months to get back in the race, and now look where we are."
    7, He said it, Part II. Mike Modano: "We're at a crossroads now where we need to heighten the alert and desperation level. This is our April now. March is our April."
    8, On the road again. Yeah, that's probably looking ominous right now, isn't it? The Stars are back on the road, where they're 12-14-3 this season, and where their power play has been a thing of horror.
    9, Tobias Stephan. Once again, the poor guy didn't have much of a chance. He didn't have enough support in front of him, and you can't blame him for much in this one.
    10, What else is there to say? OK, folks, it's your turn. What is the state of the Stars? Can this team pull a few miracles out of the back this final month and a half, or are they done?

-- Tracey Myers

 

Comments

[[[Neo]]]

I think they're probably done for this year - even if they make it to the playoffs, their chances of getting past teams like the Blackhawks, Sharks, Red Wings, and maybe even the Canucks - not to mention the Bruins who they played once with a 1-5 loss - is going to make their playoff tenure short lived.

I think this year is pretty much finished out with so many key players hurt or otherwise. Next year will be much better if they can get Morrow, Zubov, Richards, Wilson off the IR, and Ott unsuspended and healed - combined with "The Kids", 18, 21, & 13...they'll be holding a position somewhere around what the Blackhawks are doing this year.

[bw]

I think they are done. They showed no desire yesterday. I don't understand. No one has stepped up to prove to the coaches that they deserve a spot when the injured players return.

[dwain]

As bw states, "I don't understand." We have seen what they can do. When your backs are against the wall (boards), that's the time to play harder, every game. No choice. Is there a problem in the room? The coaches are giving players a chance to shine, but guys don't seem to want to do what it takes to win. I'm pulling for them, but the optimism is quickly draining away.

[dwain]

My guess is that not one Duck will receive a penalty for the Ott incident and Ott will get slammed. Just a gut feel, unfortunately.

[Laughs 2 Loud]

3, Where are the opportunists?

You gotta wonder. Everyone of these young guys have the talent. Where is the drive that got them here at this age to begin with? Unfortunately, looks like no one has an answer.