I feel it is time for Brenden Morrow to leave the Dallas Stars. He has been a phenomenal servant to the franchise and done great things, but allowing him to move on will only benefit the Stars.
This season, Morrow has shown signs that his NHL career is coming to an end after 12 seasons of hockey. He picked up more injuries than ever and never got back to full fitness. Brenden also lacked his traditional physical edge, something that has been an integral part of the Stars’ game in recent years.
The Stars’ season is over much sooner than they hoped after they were shutout in Nashville meaning they can’t clinch a playoff spot. This means that there will be no playoff hockey in Texas for 3 straight seasons, something that needs to be changed by the end of next season.
It was a tight encounter last night at the Bridgestone Arena, as the sides were scoreless going into the third period. Kari Lehtonen pulled off some great saves through the first 2 frames but was finally beaten 5 minutes into the third period. Francis Bouillon put the puck in the back of the net after a scramble around Lehtonens net. Patric Hornqvist then sealed the game with 2 minutes left as by pouncing on a rebound from a pad save by Lehtonen.
The Stars travel to Nashville to take on the Predators at the Bridgestone Arena in their penultimate game of the season. A playoff spot is still available for Dallas if they win their last 2 games and results elsewhere go in their favour. It is all pretty complicated in terms of getting into the top 8 for Dallas, but they need to concentrate on grabbing 2 wins and then seeing how their Pacific division rivals get on.
The Predators have had a decent season so far, reaching the 100-point mark with 2 games to go. They have already clinched their spot in the playoffs, securing post-season hockey for the third straight season.
The Stars fell to the Sharks last night in a critical divisional encounter by 5 goals to 2 at the American Airlines Center. For the last couple of weeks, the Stars have had their destiny in their own hands. However, they now have to win their last 2 games rely on either the Sharks or Coyotes to lose their last 2 if they want to make the playoffs.
Despite a lot of early pressure in front of a busy AAC, the Stars couldn’t get the puck past Niemi and found themselves a goal down with 12 minutes gone. The Stars hit back 5 minutes later through captain Brenden Morrow to lock the score at 1 heading to the break.
I said that the back-to-back games for the Stars against the Canucks and Sharks would probably decide whether they get a playoff spot. Recording 2 respective losses, the Stars’ season was dealt a huge blow.
On Friday night, the Stars were out-classed in Vancouver, losing by 5 goals to 2. Steve Ott gave Stars some hope in the second period and Jake Dowell netted a late consolation goal.
A day later, the Stars took to the ice in a crucial match up with division rivals, the San Jose Sharks. Playing on back-to-back nights has been the Stars’ enemy right from the word go this season. Their tiredness was evident as they struggled to create anything to trouble Niemi in the Sharks net, recording just 22 shots and falling 3-0.
The Stars finish their road trip in Canada with a tough game against the Canucks at Rogers Arena. Dallas still sits top of the incredibly tight Pacific division, with Phoenix on the same tally of points but having played a game more. The Stars take on the Canucks tonight and the Sharks tomorrow, 2 games that could decide their season.
The first goal of the game is going to be crucial tonight. When the Canucks score first, they have a record of 39-9-4. When the Stars score first, they have a record of 30-8-3. Those are 2 great records meaning the first goal will play a big part in the outcome of the game tonight.
With a few hours until the puck drops to start a massive game for the Stars in Edmonton, I am going to be optimistic and choose my 3 key players for the playoffs.
Kari Lehtonen – Words can’t describe how awesome this man has been for the Stars so far this season. Okay, his numbers are just slightly above average, but stats don’t tell the whole story. Yet again Lehtonen has been given a lot of ice time, but this doesn’t seem to faze the big Finn and he has pulled off several stops this season that you have to watch 10 times to see how the puck didn’t end up in the net. Dallas is hugely reliant on this man, and if they make the top 8, Kari will be massive in the playoffs. If he plays well, the Stars can go far.
Last night the Dallas Stars fell to the Calgary Flames by 5 goals to 4 in a thrilling encounter. Both teams are hunting for a spot in the post-season and that showed with some great hockey being played.
It was a very open game, which lead to a lot of offensive opportunities for both teams. Dallas recorded 39 shots on Mikka Kiprusoff and the Flames threw 35 on Kari Lehtonen.
After a lovely tribute to the ex-Stars defenseman, Karlis Skrastins, Dallas took on Calgary at the American Airlines Center on Saturday afternoon. They played some great hockey and deservedly grabbed a 4-1 win with goals from Jamie Benn (2), Michael Ryder and Brenden Morrow.
The Stars look to put the Flames out again tonight as they take them on for the second time in 3 days. Dallas goes into the game sitting top of the Pacific division and every game from now on in is absolutely critical with the Pacific being a very, very tight one.
In an incredibly tight Western Conference, it is crucial for Dallas to have a good run in of results to try and seal a playoff spot for the first time in 3 seasons. However, the Stars unfortunately dropped 2 points last night in a tight game with the Vancouver Canucks.
In the early stages of the first period, the Stars couldn’t convert their pressure into a goal and found themselves a goal down with 6 minutes gone. Some nice puck distribution by the Canucks lead to Mason Raymond being presented with an open net and a simple finish.
