Here's a few goodies from the post-game fun.
Trevor Daley, on his usual kiss of Marty Turco's helmet after a victory: "Marty got a little tongue out there."
Banter between Marty Turco and Brenden Morrow, when Marty was asked if he did anything different before Game 5. Marty: "I didn't think of anything.
Brenden: "Did you tell them about that chicken?"
Marty: "No, no, there's no chicken. It was a rooster."
Mike Ribeiro on Turco's first win at "The Joe": "That's sick."
And the Stars aren't finished, thanks to a great outing by Marty Turco. And doubly great considering he stopped 38 of 39 in a building that has been so tough on him through the years. He said he was feeling it in this one, and no doubt he was. He looked in control, which is good because some of his teammates didn't. That mess of turnovers at the start of the third period? Yikes. But kudos to Marty for hanging in there.
And congrats to the Eriksson-Petersen-Lundqvist line, too. Tremendous game by those guys, especially in keeping the Stars' energy going and keeping the Red Wings' top guys from doing any damage. They were key when the Wings pulled Chris Osgood, as they didn't even allow the Wings a shot on Marty.
We're headed back to Dallas, folks. We'll see you for Game 6 on Monday.
I think this is one Marty Turco would certainly want back. The Wings get it around the blue line to Henrik Zetterberg, who beats Turco 5-hole for a 2-1 Wings lead at 15:13. Looked like Marty either misread or didn't get over in time. Either way, the Wings get one on their first power-play of the night. Assists to Pavel Datsyuk and Tomas Holmstrom.
I was fearing the worst, the way the Sharks were swarming in the overtimes. But what can you say about this team? Or about Brenden Morrow and Marty Turco? I'm figuring any naysayers of the goaltender will be very, very quiet for the next few days.
But that was an unbelievable game, and an incredible goal by Morrow. Once again, he's sitting right there waiting for the pass, and Stephane Robidas delivered. The boys will get the next day or two to rest (why not after this?) before preparing for Detroit. It gets fun from here, folks. 
Not many were expecting this considering the March they had -- at least I wasn't. So enjoy it, folks. We'll be back with you soon.
Hey folks. I'm sitting in San Jose Airport way before the crack of down. I think I slept last night but I have no real proof. Anyway, talk of the game:
All I can say is, wow. That third period was as big of a statement as the Stars have made in this postseason, with their third period in Game 2 against the Anaheim Ducks a close second. Very similar, actually. Couple of points:
** Yes, Sergei Zubov's skating wasn't his best. Three months off, here. But the man's passing and shooting haven't suffered a bit. I talked to him after the game, said he felt good. We'll see where his soreness level is today, but I think it was best his first game was Game 2, not Game 3 when he'd have a very short recovery time for Game 4.
** Mike Ribeiro's goal was ridiculous. He said afterward that he's actually had three goals like that off Evgeni Nabokov. According to Ribeiro, he's scored one off the inside of his leg, off his back and now off the back of his skate. That line was carrying the load through the first period, especially.
** Marty was great again. Yes, he probably wishes he would've stayed put on the Milan Michalek goal (who's to say Michalek still wouldn't have scored), but if not for Marty in the first period the Stars have more than a one-goal deficit staring at them to start the third.
** Welcome back, Brad Richards. We missed you in Game 1, and part of Game 2. But you reminded us again why the Stars picked you up at the deadline. Great goal to open the third, and it changed everything. Co-GM Brett Hull probably wore a smile in his sleep last night.
** I still find it a bit amusing that the third period, the period that doomed the Stars over and over again through that horrible March, has been their strongest in these playoffs. They're burying the opposition in that final 20 minutes, although I'm guessing the guys would like to enter it with a lead again. This is the third consecutive game they trailed to start.
**Niklas Hagman said it doesn't matter if he doesn't score, as long as the Stars keep winning. Nevertheless, he needed that game. By the way, credit Jennifer Floyd Engel for her prediction of Hagman getting off the schnide.
OK, folks, I'm fighting sleep deprivation hard. I've got a lengthy layover in Denver, so I'll be back.
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.
Marty Turco was named No. 2 star for his work in February. Turco was 9-2-0 with a shutout and a 1.90 goals-against average last month. Marty just needs one more victory to collect 30 for the fifth consecutive season. Not so shabby. He's probably starting on Wednesday night, too.
Mike Ribeiro was off today, and got an X-ray on his elbow. Quick evening update: He's day to day with a bruised elbow, so at least it doesn't sound like there's anything structurally wrong.
Krys Barch was out with the flu today. Matt Niskanen is feeling better and should be a go on Wednesday.
The Stars could easily be down in this game if not for Marty Turco right now. Great first period for him, as the rest of the Stars were a little shaky on the puck-handling. The Stars also couldn't get much going on the power play (that second one looked good, but the other two... ick).
Anyway, the Stars have to settle this down in the second period. Otherwise, it could be a very long night for Turco.
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.
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.
The big matchup against Detroit is tomorrow afternoon. So who do you start in goal? Dave Tippett wasn't revealing much on this afternoon. Here's an argument for both:
Turco is the No. 1 guy. Despite the fact he struggles mightily against the Wings, you would think if they met in the playoffs Turco would be in goal. He's on a roll now, winning six of his last seven starts. He said it wouldn't be something he thinks about now, but he's nevertheless coming off his 200th victory.
Smith is fresh right now and the team is not. Tippett mentioned today how Smith has come in and stolen a game in situations like this earlier this season, when the Stars were playing a few night games then an afternoon game in a short amount of time (happened against the NY Rangers in November and against Columbus in January).
So who starts?
Marty Turco will go for his 200th victory when he starts Thursday night in Phoenix. Dave Tippett said he'll play the second part of that back-to-back by ear. Turco's on a personal five-game winning streak heading into Thursday night.
Turco is already the franchise's all-time leader in victories. But he's padding that number pretty well. Here are the top five:
1, Marty Turco 199
2, Ed Belfour 160
3, Cesare Maniago 145
4, Gilles Meloche 141
5, Jon Casey 128
Marty Turco took a few shots out in Frisco today (not an organized practice, just he and Philippe Boucher out there working), and coach Dave Tippett said he'll see where Marty is tomorrow morning. Guessing if Marty says he's good, he's going tomorrow night against the Blues.
I joked with Tippett that he has a great "problem" when Turco and Smith are playing well. Just pick one, and you can't go wrong. Not so shabby a problem.
Oh, and don't get too excited about Boucher. Apparently, he was just taking some wristers at Marty. No slapshots on the docket yet. He's still a few weeks away.
Sergei Zubov has officially been placed on IR, retroactive to Jan. 17. Zubov isn't even skating right now, with that groin and foot still bothering him.
Marty Turco did NOT make the trip to Minnesota, so look for Mike Smith starting tonight. Tobias Stephan was recalled on an emergency basis as a backup tonight up here. Turco's neck was still pretty sore from the Tuesday night scrum. No real surprise that he would've been out anyway tonight, but I'm sure the Stars wanted to make sure they had a healthy backup just in case.
Scary moment here as Marty Turco was down for a minute or two. Jeff Halpern was pushed into him by Vancouver left wing Matt Cooke, and it looked like Turco took the brunt of the hit to his head.
But he shook it off. Cookie got 2 minutes for roughing.
It's rule No. 1 of hockey, kids: Don't ever, EVER pull the hot goaltender. And Mr. Turco is definitely that right now.
The Stars will be facing a Canucks team that is depleted on the blue line. Obviously they won't be sympathetic to the Canucks' situation, but they definitely have to understand the situation. I think Vancouver has five or six D-men sidelined right now (Willie Mitchell went out of the lineup with a cracked vertebra in his back when we were up there last week).
If nothing else, the Stars have to take advantage of a banged-up squad.
Marty Turco was named second star of the week by the NHL today. Going 3-0-0 with a 1.67 goals-against average will do that for you. Mr. Turco was stellar this past week, so it's not surprising that he'll be starting again tomorrow against the Canucks.
Hard to pull the hot goaltender.
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