Stars score 5, defeats Atlanta 5-3
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by user UNT66
Friday Night at Philips Arena, the Dallas Stars defeated the Atlanta Thrashers 5-3, winning the first game of a back to back games which concludes on Saturday at Carolina.
After giving up the first goal on the Thrashers, the Stars scored four straight goals, giving them a lead that the visitors would not relinquish.
After Atlanta scored twice to push the game to a one goal lead, Mike Modano scored on the power play.
In the end, Stars goaltender Marty Turco made 20 saves, helping the Stars win another game away from the American Airlines Center.
Notes:
Slump Busted?: After the Stars could only muster 6 goals in their previous 5 games, they exploded with 5 goals on Friday Night.
Yet, aside for a goal on the power play, the names on the scoresheet are those that Stars fans may not be familiar with.
1st Goal: Matt Barnaby, who was acquired in the offseason for his grit, not goalscoring.
2nd and 3rd Goal: Mike Ribeiro, who was acquired before the offseason as a player that disappointed the Canadiens
4th Goal: Patrik Stefan, who was acquired in the Kapanen/Modry trade with the Thrashers....
Thus, the three players who came to the Stars hooked up for all of the even strength goals. Infact, Barnaby, Stefan and Ribeiro were on the ice for each of the first three goals. Thus, one line helped kick the Stars offense in motion and out of a stagnant funk.
However, in order to fully turn around the offense of the Stars, the following players need to score on even strength in the near future:
Mike Modano, Brenden Morrow, Eric Lindros, Jere Lehtinen, Jussi Jokinen and Antti Miettinen are the names that need to mark the scoresheet in order to fully bust the scoreless slump that had many people panicking about the Stars....
Special Teams: In the previous five games, the Stars power play operated at a 6% success rate. 6% is pathetic and unacceptable.
Yet, Mike Modano scored on the power play, giving the Stars offense another reason to celebrate, as he scored the insurance goal, giving the Stars a comfortable lead against the Thrashers.
Also, the Stars won the Special Teams Battle 1-0, as they held a very successful Thrasher Power Play in check, which is one of the reason why the Stars won the game.
Patrik Stefan: On a night where a couple players played their former team, Stars center Patrik Stefan had a career night. Stefan recorded three points (One Goal, Two Assists) and tied a career night for points in a game as he faced his former team for the first time in his career.
For Stefan, this night had to be satisfying one as he was on the original Atlanta Thrashers, selected as the 1st draft pick in Thrasher history in 1999.
Yet, injury concerns and lack of production turned this original Thrasher into a Dallas Star, as he was traded in the offseason. For a player that had a disappointing career in Atlanta, Friday Night was a perfect night to dish out a little revenge.....
Ilya Kovalchuk: The Dallas Stars neutralized Thrashers forward Ilya Kovalchuk, holding the talented Russian born player to one assist.
Kovalchuk, third in the NHL in points and second in the league in points, could not score consistently on a night where 8 goals were scored. Thus, the Stars did an effective job in shutting down one of the NHL's elite players.
Defending Champs: The next test to see if the offense is on track is tomorrow night against the Carolina Hurricanes. What makes this game interesting is that the Stars look to face 'Canes netminder Cam Ward, last year's Conn Smythe trophy winner for the most valuble player for the Canes during their Stanley Cup run.
As good as Lehtonen and Hedburg were for the Thrashers this season, Cam Ward should give the Stars and their offense a great test. Fans should be able to see if the offense will be productive for a second straight night.
JG
