While the Dallas Stars (42-27-5 through mid-March) cruised through February like a lion, they were beaten up like a lamb in the first half of March.
A 13-2 run in the month of February should have clinched first place in the Pacific Division for the Stars, but a weak early March left them in a dead heat for the division lead.
Five losses in their first six games of the month left them in third place in the division and fifth in the Western Conference, albeit just three points behind scorching San Jose and one point behind surging Anaheim. |
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Vancouver Canucks center Brendan Morrison (7) celebrates his goal against Dallas Stars Marty Turco (35) with teammates Markus Naslund (19) Matt Pettinger (25) and Mike Weaver (18) in the third period of their hockey game in Dallas, Saturday, March 15, 2008. The Canucks won 4-3. |
San Jose, the hottest team in hockey in early March, has three games in hand on both the Ducks and the Stars, so barring a complete collapse, the Sharks should be the Pacific Division champions. All three teams will play each other a few more times before the end of the regular season, though, so the race isn’t over yet.
Of Dallas’ five March losses, those administered by Detroit and Vancouver were the most frustrating.
On March 13, the Stars held a 3-1 lead over the Red Wings before giving up a late second-period goal and two early third-period markers to allow the momentum to completely shift back to Detroit.
Goalie Marty Turco, in particular, can’t seem to solve the Red Wings. His career record against them is 2-10-5, including an 0-7-2 mark in Joe Louis Arena.
Two nights after the 4-3 loss to Detroit, head coach Dave Tippett decided to give newly acquired goalie Johan Holmqvist a start against Vancouver, robbing fans of a round two of the best goalie match-up of last year’s Stanley Cup Playoffs, between Turco and Roberto Luongo. At least, for now.
Holmqvist, however, had a terrible debut, allowing three goals on 12 shots and was replaced at the beginning of the second period by Turco. The Stars rallied to pull even on the scoreboard heading into the third period, but an early Vancouver goal proved the difference.
Richards Trade May Boost Dallas Over The Top
All season long, the Stars have had one of the best records in the NHL. They hope to build on that success and advance beyond the first round of this year’s playoffs, something they haven’t done since 2003.
To help ensure a deeper playoff run, Dallas made a big splash at the trade deadline, acquiring center Brad Richards and Holmqvist from Tampa Bay.
Richards was a key component in Tampa Bay’s Stanley Cup championship in 2005, and he should flourish playing on a top line with Dallas, where his playmaking ability should compliment whoever he plays with.
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Niklas Hagman (15) of the Dallas Stars celebrates his goal with Brad Richards (91) in front of Patrick Lalime (40) of the Chicago Blackhawks at the American Airlines Center on February 28, 2008 in Dallas, Texas. |
Richards started his Stars career with a bang, posting a career high five assists in a 7-4 win over Chicago. The five helpers also tied a Stars franchise record and helped Niklas Hagman record his first career hat trick.
While he understandably failed to maintain that pace in the next six games, he did post two goals and two assists.
Dallas fans might be concerned about the Stars’ losing record immediately following the trade, but Richards is a proven playoff performer (47 points in 45 career playoff games) and will be an important asset for the club in the postseason.
Holmqvist’s status as a new player on the team virtually assures him limited playing time the rest of the season. An unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, Holmqvist will likely have to compete with Tobias Stephen for the No. 2 spot behind Turco if he returns to Dallas for next season.
Modano Inducted Into Texas Sports Hall of Fame
Stars forward Mike Modano racked up yet another prestigious honor in his long career when he was inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame on March 11.
The Stars’ all-time leader in goals (526), assists (751), points (1277), games played (1,312), game-winning goals (86), power play goals (149) and shorthanded goals (29), the Michigan native joined Michael Irvin, Mia Hamm, Jim Ray and Ray Childress in the Class of 2008. |
