Defenseman Philippe Boucher is out for tonight's game with a lower body injury. Don't know exactly what that means, but I've been told it is not one of his shoulders. So we'll find out more later after the game.
Mark Fistric is in for Boucher. It's also likely that Antti Miettinen is back in the lineup tonight. More to come, folks.
Daniel Carcillo gets his second of the night, this one on the power play. Mike Modano looked ready to do some damage on the other end, but he lost control of the puck. Steve Reinprecht picked it up and passed to a darting Carcillo, who got Turco out of position and scored into a fairly empty net. Stephane Robidas took a penalty in the fracas.
Then the Stars answer on that Coyotes power play. Stu Barnes and Philippe Boucher push through, with Boucher hitting a beautiful shot top shelf.
Tied 2-2n at the 4:40 mark of the second. Some fun.
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.
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
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.
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).
Defenseman Philippe Boucher will be out about three more weeks with his right shoulder injury, which ended up being a slight separation. Boucher was in the locker room briefly on Friday afternoon, and he said he won't need any surgery for this. He had a smile on his face, so there's definitely some relief that this one isn't as bad as the last. Still, it's a shame the guy's out three more weeks after everything else this season.
It's far too late for me to be singing that, but it's appropriate enough considering what's going on outside. Hey, as a Pennsylvania native, I'm happy to finally see REAL snow falling down here. This is like lake-effect snow, actually, with those big flakes. But for those who have to drive in this later, be safe.
Anyway, onto the Stars. Not a whole lot shakin' out there today (the guys had a meeting, then an optional skate). Sounds like Philippe Boucher's status hasn't changed: week to week. I feel terrible for the guy. He plays with all that pain through the first part of the season, gets the surgery, then hurts his other shoulder.
Sergei Zubov, meanwhile, is progressing as he should. No, he's not skating yet. Probably still about two weeks from that. The Stars will be back at it tomorrow morning before heading to Colorado. Big, big weekend coming up for the boys.
Philippe Boucher left the ice a few moments ago after taking a pretty good hit along the boards from Phoenix right wing Craig Weller. He left the ice immediately after that hit. We'll see his status, and if he even comes back.
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.
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.
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