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No, there wont be any dancing involved and barring some strange twilight zone scenario you probably wont see any telescopes either. There will be Stars though.
For hardcore Dallas Stars fans this year has been pretty hard to watch, in fact possibly one of the hardest in recent years. From the get-go this has been a year when the Stars simply were not meant to go super-nova. It all started right back at the start of the season when Brett Hull announced with a big smile on his face that the team signed Sean Avery to a contract worth twice his value for years double what you’d think right through and continued til recently when Brad Richards broke his wrist, only to break the OTHER one on his first game back! Losing Captain Brendan Morrow sure didn’t help with the teams grand plans either, nor did Zubov being out for all but 10 games and a multitude of other injuries to players like Lehtinen, Parrish & Brunnstrom. In fact at recent count over 300 man hours of games have been lost to injuries this season.
This season’s Dallas Stars remind me of the old nursery rhyme… “Twinkle Twinkle little star, how i wonder what you are”.
Who are you? Or, to be more accurate, what are you expected to be?
Brad Richards injury had the team turning to Mike Modano to fill his role. All of a sudden the 38 year old who has spent much of the past 2 seasons on the 3rd line as a checking center was expected to play 22+ minutes on the 2nd line and do so like he was in his prime. Forgive me, but while Mike is a legend and still one of the best in the game, he’s not the guy he was when the Stars won the cup in ‘99.
The blue line suffered all year long with rookie mistakes, lackluster performances and a vast constellation of turnovers, pun intended. It’s no wonder either considering you have Stephane Robidas and Nicklas Grossman expected to play #1 Defenseman minutes with the same skill, tenacity and patience that Zubov delivered.
All that aside, mediocre defensive performances and less “punchy” top lines can still win games. Afterall, the last line of defense is none other than “the wall”, Marty Turco. Surely after his standout performances in last years playoffs he could help carry this depleted & fatigued to a playoff spot. Right? Normally, yes but it would appear at some time between game 1 and game 71 of this season Marty Turco forgot how to stop pucks on a consistent basis. With no quality back-up goalie to challenge Marty for the net, it appears even Marty forgot who he is.
What a year! Many Stars fans will be happier when this season ends than they were when Sean Avery got the boot out of big D.
What now? Clearly this team needs a change. The Two-Headed Snake of Brett Hull and Les Jackson did not impress fans when they failed to deliver a #1 defenseman at the trade deadline, instead opting to get Brenden Morrison to replace Brad Richards. An ok move, but not one that really helped this struggling team.
The off season is now the focus for many Stars fans. What will this team get? What do they need? Who will stay or go? Here are some interesting points to ponder…
Sergei Zubov and Jere Lehtinen’s contracts are both up this year. Both are top players if they’re not injured. Is the risk too much to re-sign them? I believe both are worth keeping hold of if the price is right. Neither of these guys are able to ask for big contracts due to their ongoing injuries, but the cost of not re-signing them could be too high.
Mike Modano has another year on his contract but many fans believe he’s done and should retire. I disagree. Age slows him down, but doesn’t deaden his passion. The team should not rely on Mike to be the player he was 10 years ago.
Even if Zubov returns, he’s no longer able to be relied on as the #1 defenseman. Should the Stars make a post season trade to get a Bouwmeester, Kaberle or Redden?
With Brian Sutherby getting a contract extension, does that mean Joel Lundqvist is one the way out? Maybe we could send him to the Rangers in a deal to bring Redden here. Brothers unite!
Marty Turco no longer has a NTC i believe after his dismall play this year, so could the team look to ship him out?
If i were to make just one change to the current Dallas Stars system, it would be this. I would remove Brett Hull from the GM position and put him somewhere else. While the co-GM situation was great for a while, the Sean Avery incident proved that Brett Hull is not, and possibly never will be a good General Manager of an NHL team.
I leave you with this thought. If the Dallas Stars had never signed Sean Avery, how do you believe the team would look right now?
Avery Alert: With so much news surrounding the Sean Avery situation, our new section “Avery Alert” will bring you all the news comments you need in one handy location. Don’t worry though, this section will only last a short time and will stop once we all get sick off hearing about Avery.
NHLPA Plans to file grievance on Avery suspension
The National Hockey League Players Association is planning on grieving Sean Avery’s 6-game suspension. The PA believes NHL commissioner Gary Bettman handed down a summary suspension before the hearing, constituting a violation of the collective bargaining agreement. The CBA suggests for off-ice discipline a hearing must take place before action is taken. (The Full Story on TSN)
News
Wild keeping Gillies from World Juniors
While Team Canada’s December camp roster for the World Junior Hockey Championship has room for additions, forward Colton Gillies will not be one of them. (The Full Story on TSN)
Wilson puts struggling leafs through early morning skate
For most NHL teams taking a road trip through a warm and sunny locale, a round of golf is usually on the schedule. But for a Toronto Maple Leafs club that dropped two of three games after a humiliating loss to the Phoenix Coyotes, it’s a good ol’ fashioned bag skate. (The Full Story on TSN)
Can the Stars start fresh without Avery?
While it has been made clear that the Dallas Stars aren’t interested in getting Sean Avery back in their lineup anytime soon — if at all — are there any other opportunities that might work with other teams around the NHL? (The Full Story on TSN)
Canucks GM Gillis believes Sundin decision imminent
As Mats Sundin continues to ponder his future, Canucks general Mike Gillis is once again attempting to convince the Maple Leafs all-time leading scorer that Vancouver should be his destination of choice. (The Full Story on TSN)
Trades & Transactions:
None
Injuries:
Sam Gagner (C – Oilers) Day-to-Day with concussion.
Owen Nolan (RW – Wild) Day-to-Day with lower body injury.
Robert Nilsson (LW – Oilers) Placed on Injured Reserve.
Rumours & Gossip:
Possible trade locations for Avery?
Could there be a trade involving Sean Avery? An article allegedly from TSN lists 5 teams who could provide possible trade locations for the forward. All would involve long term contracts that have not paid off; Dustin Penner (LW – Oilers), Jason Blake (LW – Maple Leafs), Radim Vrbata (RW – Lightning), Rostislav Olesz (LW – Panthers) & Sergei Samsonov (LW, Hurricanes).
David Booth (LW – Panthers). Not only did Booth score the game winner against the Anaheim Ducks today, he scored all 3 Panthers goals in the game..
Stars of the day:
Olli Jokinen (C – Coyotes) 2G 1A 3Pts
Marty Reasoner (C – Thrashers) 2G 0A 2Pts
Jeff Deslauriers (G – Oilers) 38 Shots on, 37 Saves, .974 SV%
Turco faces media over Gaffe
(The following is an article by Yahoo! Sports’ Ross McKeon. To view the full article, please click here)
SAN JOSE, Calif. – Give Marty Turco credit. After gift-wrapping a victory for the host San Jose Sharks in the final 30 seconds with a giveaway of immense proportions, at least the Dallas Stars goaltender was brave enough to face the music.
With the embarrassing play he made late in regulation of Saturday night’s game, when Stars were ohhhhhhh so close to escaping with at least one, if not two, very needed points, it would have been easy to crawl into the stick bag and quietly exit HP Pavilion for the flight out of town without saying anything to anybody.
That, however, only would have compounded the situation the Stars find themselves in, a very good team on paper that’s a long way back in the Pacific Division standings. The only way to get to where Dallas belongs is through leadership and accountability… (read more)
Anderson, Larionov, Scapinello & Chynoweth’s big day arrives
(The following article is by Chris Johnston of the Canadian Press)
TORONTO – The big moment is finally set to arrive for Mork and The Professor.
Passed over in years past, Glenn Anderson and Igor Larionov will be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame on Monday night along with linesman Ray Scapinello and junior hockey builder Ed Chynoweth.
The wait has been longest for Anderson. He’s been eligible since 1999 and had to watch as 23 players were enshrined before him during that time.
Perhaps it’s only fitting for a guy that has never done things the traditional way, which earned him the nickname Mork – after a TV alien from outer space. Anderson won six Stanley Cups during his career and earned a reputation as a big-game player… (read more)
oh, they’re hurt:
Paille was a healthy scratch on Saturday after a poor performance on Friday, according to The Buffalo News.
ESPN revealed their much awaited Fantasy League rankings recently and surprise surprise, they’re pretty much based in “fantasy land”. Wait, did I say much awaited? My apologies, i meant “much overrated”
Martin Brodeur gets #1 spot OVERALL, just ahead of Alex Ovechkin at #2 and Sidney Crosby at #3. In the top 15 players, ESPN in fact list 7 goalies. Do ESPN know something about the fantasy value of goalies that the rest of us don’t?
Interested in knowing just who makes up that list of 7?
Rank – Name 1 – Martin Brodeur 4 – Jean-Sebastian Giguere 7 – Jose Theodore 10 – Evgeni Nabokov 14 – Carey Price 15 – Ilya Bryzgalov
According to the great minds at ESPN, Chris Osgood (22 overall), Marty Turco (58 overall), Henrik Lundqvist (31 overall), even Marc-Andre Fleury (28 overall) don’t get a shoe-in when compared to the great Bryzgalov *insert chuckle here*. In fact Marty Turco is ranked 2 spots lower than Boston’s on again-off again Manny Fernandez. Vinnie Lecavalier, a player whom most would put in the top 10 in the league, is down at #24.
Hey, they do call it “fantasy” for a reason, right?
Who are the worse players in the league, according to ESPN?
Well, not including prospects or rookies (who let’s be honest, are impossible to rank anyway), Martin Gerber (Ottawa Senators) falls in at #370. Just ahead of him are two more netminders, Mike Smith (Tampa Bay Lightning) and Alex Auld (Ottawa Senators). Do ESPN predict Ottawa will bottom out this season?
I’m almost inclined to think ESPN stands for Exceedingly Stupid Prediction Noobs!
I doubt it matters all that much. In the coming weeks when the fantasy leagues open to the public, I imagine the rush of people heading to yahoo to join leagues will quickly make us forget ESPN actually have a fantasy league system!
The Detroit Red Wings went in to todays game against the Dallas Stars as a team on a roll. They had won 9 straight, and they had the comforting knowledge that Dallas netminder, Marty Turco, appears to have issues defeating the boys in red.
The Red Wings expected to leave todays game with a berth in the Stanley Cup finals.
It wasn’t to be.
The Dallas Stars proved today they can compete with the high flying Red Wings. They proved they can outskate, outpass, outshoot and outplay them, and after 60 grueling minutes, Marty Turco and the Dallas Stars left the rink 3-1 victors.
This win gives the Stars a major boost going into the must-win game 5 back in Detroit. Most importantly however it gives the confidence of Marty Turco and the rest of the Stars squad a shot of nitro.
Loui Eriksson opened the scoring in the closing seconds of the 2nd period. The Wings struck back 49 seconds into the third but it wasn’t to last. Mike Modano scored what was to become the Game-winner and Brenden Morrow added the insurance goal to round out the scorers.
Game 5 in the series is on Saturday at 1:30pm EDT.
It took 129 minutes to achieve, but the Dallas Stars finally eliminated the pesky San Jose Sharks from the 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Brenden Morrow netted the puck 9:03 into the 4th overtime period to give the Stars their first Conference Finals appearance since 2000.
Marty Turco faced 61 shots in the epic battle, making him the 1st star of the game. Evgeni Nabokov of the Sharks was 2nd star and Brenden Morrow was 3rd.
The Dallas Stars now go on to face the Detroit Red Wings in the Western Conference finals.
Earlier tonight the Pittsburgh Penguins eliminated the New York Rangers, making way for an all Pen State EC final between the Penguins and Flyers.
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP)—Joe Pavelski collapsed like a kid on rented skates, nudging the puck straight to Brad Richards as he fell. Richards, who has a few big playoff goals in his past, turned that turnover into the Dallas Stars’ tying score before the Sharks even knew they were doomed.
- GREG BEACHAM, AP Sports Writer
That quote by Greg Beacham pretty much sums up todays game between the Dallas Stars and San Jose Sharks.
The Sharks did come out swinging, and took the early lead off a Joe Pavelski goal. Mike Ribeiro leveled the score however not long after, setting the scene for a fast paced end to end hockey match.
The 2nd period saw Milan Michalek put the Sharks ahead once again, a lead they held going into the third period.
It was the 3rd however where the Sharks collapsed, the the Stars shone bright! Just 30 seconds into the match Joe Pavelski lost an edge while attempting to clear the puck from his zone. In his attempt to control the puck while falling, he handed it right to Brad Richards, who put it past Nabokov before anybody knew what had happened.
Like a puncture wound in a well used tire, the Sharks momentum deflated in an instant, and the Stars grabbed the advantage. Mike Modano put the Stars ahead 3 minutes later on the Power Play, and Niklas Hagman put up the insurance goal in the 13th minute of the period. A goalie change by San Jose was not enough, and Hagman picked up his 2nd of the night, an empty net goal to finish off the game.
“We’ve had amazing third periods so far in the playoffs,” said Modano, who has six goals in six games in San Jose this season. “It was a big trip for us. Now it’s up to us to respond to this at home. We know this is far from over, but at the same time, we had a great two days here. Every shift, every night, we’ve looked hungry.”
- Yahoo! Sports
Games 3 and 4 will be back to back games, held in Dallas this Tuesday and Wednesday.
This last week has been busy, with over 60 2008 Stanley Cup Playoff videos being added. Included in these are game highlights, interviews, a few fights and some great goals. If you haven’t yet caught up on all the playoff highlights, head over there today and take a look.
Brett throws an octopus!
Throwing an octopus on the ice at the Wings game!
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs
A smile from Kevin Weekes
2008 Stanley Cup playoffs. Round 1 Game 3 New York Rangers vs. New Jersey Devils. Down by the ice during the practice to go see the one and only Kevin Weekes.
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs
Dallas Stars Vs. Anaheim Ducks – Ducks Score!
Short video showing the crowd going wild after the Anaheim Ducks scored on the Dallas Stars in game 5 of the first round of the NHL playoffs.
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs
Dallas Stars vs Anaheim Ducks Game 6 – Duck penalty
Anaheim Ducks penalty with 1:31 left in period 3, Chris Pronger cross-checking on Dallas Stars Brenden Morrow played at the AAC on 4/20/08
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs
Clowe telling Iginla that there’s no crying in hockey
This recap of some of the “rough stuff” from Game 5 of the 2008 WCQF. It shows Ryane Clowe mocking Jarome Iginla by rubbing his eyes.
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs
Dallas Stars Goal No 3 Playoffs 08 vs Ducks Game 6
Dallas Stars goal in the 3rd period of Game 6 of Round one Western Conference Standley Cup Playoffs vs Anaheim Ducks at AAC on 4/20/08
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs
Dallas Stars Goal No 1 Playoffs 08 vs Ducks Game 6
Dallas Stars Goal in the 3rd period of Game 6 of Round one Western Conference Stanley Cup Playoffs vs the Ducks at AAC on 4/20/08
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs
Capitals vs Flyers – Game 5 Slideshow
Game 5 of the ECQF – Photos by myself and Hoydie17 of the Capitals message board.
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs
Dallas Stars goal 4 & celebration Game 6 vs Anaheim Duck
Dallas Stars goal 4 in the 3rd Period of game 6 played at the AAC vs Anaheim Ducks, plus celebration of taking series 4 game to 2 over Anaheim Ducks.
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs
Penguins Playoff Video Lord Stanley Back
Video of Pittsburgh Penguins to the tune of “Sexy Back” by Justin Timberlake with different words.
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs
Boston Bruins
we may have lost the palyoffs but we gave it our all
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs
Nashville Predators vs Detroit Red Wings: Game 4 . last 7 mi
Nashville Predators beat the Detroit Red Wings in game 4 of the NHL playoffs 3 to 2. April 16th 2008. Also Nashville was named one of the loudest NHL arena this year. Don’t believe me? Check out the video!
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs
Montreal beats Boston 2008
What can I say, awesome party, had so much fun, must admit Boston put up a great fight. Philadelphia and monsieur Brière, you’re next in line to bite the dust. GO HABS GO!
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs
Canadiens vs. Bruins: What the Puck?
This is footage of the post-game celebration at the Bell Centre, pre-riot on Monday, April 21. Other “Hot Flashes” are at www.NewYorkHotFlashes.com.
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs
Jeff Carter Gets Hit with Beer Bottle
Jeff Carter of the Philadelphia Flyers gets hit in the face by a beer bottle which was thrown by a washington capitals fan after the flyers won game 7 of the series.
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs
Caps/Flyers Game 7 Goal #1
1st goal scored by the Washington Capitals. Nicklas Backstrom Power Play Assists: Alexander Ovechkin, Sergei Fedorov
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs
Boston Bruins @ Montreal Canadiens – Game 7: 4-21-08
The Habs’ fifth goal and end of game celebration v. the Boston Bruins. Their fans proceeded to burn police cars and loot stores while rioting even though this was a first round win over the #8 seed in the East. Only in Canada, eh?
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs
Chris Higgins Scores a Great Goal vs Bruins
Off the faceoff Chris Higgins takes the puck, turns Wideman inside out and puts it 5 hole on thomas. montreal canadiens boston bruins highlights higgins koivu wideman denis chris saku goal hockey playoffs tribute ice
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs
San Jose Sharks Win Game 7
Final minute of game 7 from HP Pavillion where the Sharks defeated the Flames 5 to 3.
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs
San Jose Sharks Entrance
San Jose Sharks entrance onto the ice before the start of game 7 versus the Calgary Flames.
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs
2008 NHL Playoff Predictions
Starting from round two. Songs Used: One Last Breath-Creed
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs
boston vs montreal 5-0 games 7
canadiens de montreal boston flyers bruins carolina sens washington capitals penguins 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 0 – 5-0 coupe stanley cup i karmazia i ikarmaziai baby rise owned pking runescape ownage wow WOW rakion wtf omg rofl lol rap techno music dang pwn ottawa toronto maple leaf leafs senateur florida new york rangers
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs
Sharks v Flames (Game 7) – last 3 min.
The last 3 minutes of game 7 plus the handshake at the end. View from the upper level.
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs
Don’s Playoff Picks Round 2
Don doing his Gabriel Morency impression while layin his round 2 picks down.
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs
Sharks vs. Flames 4/22/2008 WCQF Game 7 part 2
Sharks vs. Flames 4/22/2008 WCQF Game 7 – All Sharks goals, Nolan’s goal, other highlights, from CSNBA, Randy Hahn and Drew Remenda. Part 2.
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs
Game #1 Montreal(1)VsPhiladelphia(6)
Tom Kostopoulos Scored the winning goal in Overtime.Tom Kostopoulos a compte le but de la victoire en prolongation pour completer la remonter du canadiens et lemporter 4-3 dans le premier match de cette serie.
Category: 2063 Stanley Cup Playoffs
Flyers @ Canadiens Playoff 24 april 2008 Highlight
The first game of the second round in montreal, april 24th 2008. The goal scored by the canadiens. Including Alex Kovalev insane goal
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs
Pens vs. Sens – Game 1 Round 1 – Cool Playoff Pregame Show
I was at this game!!! Before the players came out, there was this cool effects thing. The lighting went down and they projected the players faces onto the ice with sweet hardcore music. Basically, it was an effort to pump up the fans – an effort that killed the Sens. (Sorry for the shakiness, it was exciting and I didn’t feel like holding the camera)
Category: 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs
Not since 2003 has a Stanley Cup champion made it through the first round of the playoffs the following year. That trend has continued today after a highly underestimated Dallas Stars routed the Anaheim Ducks 4-1 in Dallas, TX.
The victory in todays game 6 not only eliminated the defending Stanley Cup champions from the playoffs, but broke the “first round” curse that has plagued the Dallas Stars for 5 long painful years.
Marty Turco, who has taken the brunt of the criticism over the previous years showed that he is one of the elite netminders in the NHL, finishing the round with a GAA of 2.01, including a shutout in game 1.
Anaheim, who were one of the strongest teams going down the final stretch into the playoffs faltered under the constant Dallas Attack, and struggled to get past the Dallas Defensive group; a group that included 3 rookies and was missing Sergei Zubov and (for most games) Philippe Boucher.
“It’s disappointing because we believe we could do better,” said Anaheim defenseman Scott Niedermayer, the Conn Smythe winner as MVP of last year’s postseason who retired then decided to return to chase another Cup. “Our sights were set higher than this.”
- Yahoo! Sports
Dallas now have a few days to relax before the Western Conference Semi-Finals begin. The Stars will face either the Colorado Avalanche or the San Jose Sharks in round 2, but wont know who until after game 7 between the Flames and Sharks on Tuesday evening.
The Detroit Red Wings went in to todays game against the Dallas Stars as a team on a roll. They had won 9 straight, and they had the comforting knowledge that Dallas netminder, Marty Turco, appears to have issues defeating the boys in red.
This win gives the Stars a major boost going into the must-win game 5 back in Detroit. Most importantly however it gives the confidence of Marty Turco and the rest of the Stars squad a shot of nitro.
That quote by Greg Beacham pretty much sums up todays game between the Dallas Stars and San Jose Sharks.
Like a puncture wound in a well used tire, the Sharks momentum deflated in an instant, and the Stars grabbed the advantage. Mike Modano put the Stars ahead 3 minutes later on the Power Play, and Niklas Hagman put up the insurance goal in the 13th minute of the period. A goalie change by San Jose was not enough, and Hagman picked up his 2nd of the night, an empty net goal to finish off the game.
