jeffreymark

IT'S ALL OVER BUT THE CRYING

The Dallas Stars down 2 games exhibited some hopeful moments during the second period in their third game against the Red Wings. Detroit, however, simply over powers Dallas in every phase of the game. With 8 minutes to go in the game Detroit leads 4-2. I predict Detroit takes the series 4 straight. Stars live bloggers summed the night up with this telling observation:

The Stars seemed to be happy with a moral victory following their 2-1 Game 2 loss to the Red Wings on Saturday in Detroit. They were pleased that they played better and only lost by a goal.

Wonder what they'll think after this loss tonight? Maybe they'll be happy that they finally scored two goals against the Red Wings.

DALLAS STARS GOT US SWEATIN' BULLETS

Four overtimes, 3 Advils, and one bottle of Valium later, fans survived what I consider as one of the greatest hockey games ever played. The Dallas Stars and San Jose Sharks battled it out in a must win 6th game Western Conference semifinal for the Sharks. The off ice mild mannered, unassuming Brenden Morrow, however, turned into a monster and almost single handedly picked off the Sharks one by one. Even though Morrow scored the winning goal, his star shown brightest when he put this bone crushing hit on the ever dangerous Milan Michalek.

Read more Dallas Stars here.

UNSUNG HERO

Injury plagued Dallas Stars needed someone to step up and make a difference. They found such a person in seven year veteran defenseman Stéphane Robidas. It's been five years since the Stars moved on to the Stanley Cup second round and warrior Stephan Robidas, with a little help from goalie Marty Turco, provided the
fuel for the jets that got them there:

While the Stars certainly missed Zubov and will welcome his eventual return, Robidas stepped into the breach and provided the Stars with impressive offense, fueling the Stars’ lethal power play, while logging extra minutes in crucial situations.

His goal - the first of his playoff career in his 25th game - and assist within the first 2:10 of the third period Sunday night jump-started the Stars’ comeback 4-1 victory over the Ducks in Game 6 and helped eliminate the defending Stanley Cup champs. He led the Stars in ice time with 26:38 and also delivered a game-high seven bodychecks.

And he did all this wearing a full face cage after a puck broke his nose in Game 5.

“He epitomizes our game,” Stars coach Dave Tippett said. “He’s one of the best teammates you’re ever going to find, he will go right through a wall to help the team win, he’ll take pucks in the face to help the team win, he’ll stuff cotton up his nose to make sure he’s back to help on the power play five minutes after that. He’s the epitome of what’s great about our game.”

Continue reading about Robidas and the Stars both here and here.

STARS' SECOND SEASON

Hockey fans often dub playoffs the second season. My Dallas Stars, led by center veteran Mike Madano's intangibles, have the Ducks down 2-0. This year the Stars, known for their physical defenses, added offensive firepower. Stars commentator Daryl "the razor" Reaugh explains the necessity for doing so:

The Ducks appear to be learning the lesson modern playoff hockey has been teaching - and they have company in the classroom.

You see, no longer does the phrase "Defense wins championships" ring true.

In today's game the ability to put the puck in the other teams net is paramount.

Just look at the teams that find themselves down 0-2 in the opening round; New Jersey, Boston, Ottawa (playing without Alfredsson and Fisher), Nashville, and Anaheim who are the weakest scoring team from the regular season in this years playoffs. All of them have serious issues when it comes to their attack and the warts are showing.

Devils - a new coach but the same checking based system that's just fantastic - with a lead.

Bruins - trap happy system with a cheesey d-corp and unproven netminding, oh, and your best offensive player is concussed. Good luck with that.

Senators - they have the potential to score, but with the injuries and the general flounder that last year's Eastern Conference champs seem to be in...potential can't be realized.

Nashville - they were a one-line offense in the regular season and one line is usually easily shut down in the post season - even if your not the best defensive team in the league - which their opponent the Red Wings are.

Anaheim - the Ducks sacrificed offense for defense in their quest to repeat and it isn't panning out. With leading goal scorer Cory Perry injured and Andy Mcdonald and Dustin Penner elsewhere, they are relying on brooding Todd Bertuzzi, 38 year old Teemu Selanne and their checking line to beat Turco - it's not working.

And apparently it's not just about the number of goals you can manufacture, it's also about who strikes first. The team scoring the first goal of the game has gone on to win an incredible 15 of the 16 opening round games played so far.

In the Stars - Ducks series Dallas is scoring first, scoring often, and scoring with relative ease against an Anaheim club that isn't scoring, defending or playing with any hockey sense. If this continues, and there is every indication it will, the Stars will be the latest team to prove that playoff hockey in 2008 rewards the attacker more than the defender.

Lock it down?

How about Fill 'er up.

DALLAS STARS ON A ROLL

The Dallas Stars look like the old Stanley Cup champions of 1999. Currently they rank second to the Detroit Red Wings in total points. Always an exciting game, the two battle it out today. Even though several players from the 1999 team remain with the Stars they sport little resemblance to the old championship team. They have no standouts this year. Their wins illustrate a total team effort. Defenseman Stephane Robidas tells Fox News the reason for Dallas' success:

The Stars rebounded from their only loss this month with a 4-2 victory Friday at Anaheim to snap the Ducks' win streak at five. Defenseman Stephane Robidas scored twice and Marty Turco made 20 saves for his 200th win as Dallas extended its lead in the Pacific to six points over Anaheim. "I think we worked hard. Marty is playing really well," Robidas said. "It's a team game and that's why we have been winning and successful - everyone is chipping in, everyone is doing a little more. That's the key to our success." Turco is 6-1-0 with a 1.98 goals-against average in his last seven starts overall, but he has never fared well against Detroit. In 16 starts versus the Red Wings, Turco is 1-9-0 with five ties and a 2.98 GAA. The recent return of right wing Jere Lehtinen has provided Dallas with a boost. Lehtinen, who missed more than two months following sports hernia surgery, has two goals and five assists in eight games since rejoining the lineup.