Five for Fighting

Who starts?

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?

Mr. Smith steals a game

Marty Turco or Mike Smith. Right now, it doesn't matter. They're both playing out of their minds, and it's given the Stars more breathing room in the Pacific (although San Jose has a whopping five games in hand). Smith was fantatsic tonight, and he needed to be because the Wild had some sizzling shots.

Credit Niklas Hagman for not getting frustrated enough to stop taking shots on Niklas Backstrom. His 20th goal of the season was pretty sweet, and it was enough with Smith at the other end.

The Stars will take tomorrow off before resuming against St. Louis on Saturday. Remember: 7 p.m. start on Saturday night. See you then!