Canucks Stars GDT

[rustybadcock]

Stars-Canucks Preview
Jan 29, 2008, 7:00 PM PT
TV Information
Local Home:
SNET-P (HD)
Local Away:
FSN-SW


The Dallas Stars go into the second half of the season hoping to string together some wins - and separate themselves from the rest of the Western Conference.

The battered Stars look to bounce back from a shaky end to the first half when they visit the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday night to start a three-game road trip.

With 61 points, Dallas (28-20-5) is tied with San Jose atop the Pacific Division and for the third-most points in the league behind Ottawa (66) and Detroit (78). However, the Stars have struggled with consistency recently, going 5-8-1 before the break.

Included in that stretch were a pair of three-game skids and one three-game winning streak. The Stars closed out the first half with a 4-2 loss to Columbus on Tuesday and a 2-1 defeat to Buffalo on Thursday.

"The last couple of losses have been frustrating, that's for sure," Dallas coach Dave Tippett said. "But if you look at the last part of our schedule, it was a real grind. I think the break will do our team a lot of good, and hopefully we come back rejuvenated."

Injuries have played a significant role in Dallas' struggles.

Defenseman Sergei Zubov has missed four straight games and skipped the All-Star game because of groin and foot injuries. Zubov, who is second on the team with 31 assists, will not travel to Vancouver and is "week-to-week," according to Tippett.

But forward Jere Lehtinen, who hasn't played since Nov. 21 because of a sports hernia, is close to returning to the Stars. Lehtinen has been battling the flu in recent days, but practiced Monday and Tippett said he could play.

"Everybody knows what he means to our team," Tippett said of Lehtinen, who has six goals and 13 assists in 21 games. "It certainly goes without saying. But you also have to remember he's been out for a couple months, so to think he's going to jump in and just be at his 'A' game wouldn't be right."

Both players could help the Stars' power play, which is 1-for-27 over the last six games.

"As the season goes on here, down the stretch, and we start to get a few guys back, hopefully we can have that consistency of playing well," center Stu Barnes said. "And as we add those guys as they get healthy, we'll hopefully be that much better."

The Stars have dropped three straight in Vancouver (26-19-5) since a 2-1 win on March 11, 2006 and have lost three of the last four overall to the Canucks.

Vancouver beat St. Louis 3-2 in a shootout on Wednesday, ending a four-game losing streak in its last game before the break. The Canucks also won for the first time in 19 chances when trailing after the second period.

Roberto Luongo made 26 saves and also ended a four-start losing streak. However, he did not play in the All-Star game to spend time with his pregnant wife at their Florida home and also received permission to sit out this game and rejoin the team when they start a road trip in Tampa Bay and Florida.

"For (Luongo) and the team, two points going into the break is a good feeling," said Daniel Sedin, who scored the lone shootout goal.

With Luongo out, Curtis Sanford should get the start. He's lost his last three starts, but is 4-3-1 with a 2.80 goals-against average this season, and 4-1-1 with a 2.95 GAA in six career starts versus the Stars.

Well - we're back at it...Here's to hoping the break did the boys some good, mentally and physically.

RB

[Nelson19777]

Big rest = Big game. The boys are gonna pull this out big time. I think the break was well needed. 4-1 Nucks.

[gordphish]

3-2 Dallas, the Stars get all three of their goals on the powerplay.

[KB in Kelowna]

According to the Province, Willie Mitchell will not play and won't be on the road trip to Florida, his back is still bothering him. Bieska starts skating this week. Jaffray was not recalled rom Manitoba. Sanford goes tonight as Luongo is with his wife in Miami, call it a feeling but I agree with Gordo on the score.

[gordphish]

According to the Province, Willie Mitchell will not play and won't be on the road trip to Florida, his back is still bothering him. Bieska starts skating this week. Jaffray was not recalled rom Manitoba. Sanford goes tonight as Luongo is with his wife in Miami, call it a feeling but I agree with Gordo on the score.

Actually, I hope they get absolutely hammered and every team chasing them in the west picks up points. It won't change Nonis' approach, because he'll just point to the injuries, but maybe it will wake up the knotheads in the media that have their mouths fastened to Nonis' ass and actually start putting some real pressure on Nonis to reinstall some direction with this team.

I have to wonder how happy Acquillini would be should this team miss the playoffs again. I'm sure he didn't buy into this venture to watch his season ticket numbers slowly break apart and dwindle away...and believe me, if they miss the playoffs again, with the fans in this town, that waiting list for tickets will disappear in an awful hurry.

[rustybadcock]

Actually, I hope they get absolutely hammered and every team chasing them in the west picks up points. It won't change Nonis' approach, because he'll just point to the injuries, but maybe it will wake up the knotheads in the media that have their mouths fastened to Nonis' ass and actually start putting some real pressure on Nonis to reinstall some direction with this team.

I have to wonder how happy Acquillini would be should this team miss the playoffs again. I'm sure he didn't buy into this venture to watch his season ticket numbers slowly break apart and dwindle away...and believe me, if they miss the playoffs again, with the fans in this town, that waiting list for tickets will disappear in an awful hurry.

I was just talking with my father in law last night and we were on a very similar subject. Acquillini doesn't seem like a piss around type....Nonis wont last with him if he doesn't right this ship IMO. Which I have no problem with. There are many very good hockey people out there would could take this team right over the top. Namely Neil Smith. However, I could see Acquillini taking an active role in filling his roster. After all, if you're a player there is nothing like an owner telling you like it is.

And Willie sounds way more hurt being that he's got a broken bone in his neck. Yezus man.

I am very surprised Bourdon has not been given a call yet. Or anyone for that matter. Is Ohlund going to play every minute now? Man....if not for bad luck they'd have none at all...

RB

[gordphish]

I was just talking with my father in law last night and we were on a very similar subject. Acquillini doesn't seem like a piss around type....Nonis wont last with him if he doesn't right this ship IMO. Which I have no problem with. There are many very good hockey people out there would could take this team right over the top. Namely Neil Smith. However, I could see Acquillini taking an active role in filling his roster. After all, if you're a player there is nothing like an owner telling you like it is.

And Willie sounds way more hurt being that he's got a broken bone in his neck. Yezus man.

I am very surprised Bourdon has not been given a call yet. Or anyone for that matter. Is Ohlund going to play every minute now? Man....if not for bad luck they'd have none at all...

RB

I like the idea of Smith in here. But I bet he ends in Toronto.

I won't call this bad luck. Nonis knew he had an injury prone defense. That was evidenced by the way it has broken down over the last two seasons. Miller was a good move with that in mind, but nowhere near enough. This is all Dave's fault for committing another three years and an NTC to Sami Salo. He's made his bed, now he has to lie in it.

If Bourdon isn't called up, then you can forget all about him at this point. If he's not good enough now to be at least on Krajicek's, Weaver's or McIver's level, then he's a bust. Another great call, Nonis. Do you all remember what I said the day Bourdon was drafted? That Nonis may well have sealed his fate here before his team played a single game by not drafting one of the big scoring centres that were available? Well, hello Dolly. Draft Kopitar then and you could have taken Perron over White last year.

And again, this is what you get for turning your nose up at a talent like Scott Neidermayer. Would you not give up a hundred Jovos or Naslunds for a Neidermayer? And then they could have signed Rob easy as pie and been able to move Morrison at last year's deadline without breaking a sweat.

Good job, mini-Burke. Don't let that door hit you on the ass on the way out.

[rustybadcock]

I like the idea of Smith in here. But I bet he ends in Toronto.

I won't call this bad luck. Nonis knew he had an injury prone defense. That was evidenced by the way it has broken down over the last two seasons. Miller was a good move with that in mind, but nowhere near enough. This is all Dave's fault for committing another three years and an NTC to Sami Salo. He's made his bed, now he has to lie in it.

If Bourdon isn't called up, then you can forget all about him at this point. If he's not good enough now to be at least on Krajicek's, Weaver's or McIver's level, then he's a bust. Another great call, Nonis. Do you all remember what I said the day Bourdon was drafted? That Nonis may well have sealed his fate here before his team played a single game by not drafting one of the big scoring centres that were available? Well, hello Dolly. Draft Kopitar then and you could have taken Perron over White last year.

And again, this is what you get for turning your nose up at a talent like Scott Neidermayer. Would you not give up a hundred Jovos or Naslunds for a Neidermayer? And then they could have signed Rob easy as pie and been able to move Morrison at last year's deadline without breaking a sweat.

Good job, mini-Burke. Don't let that door hit you on the ass on the way out.

My gut tells me you might very well be right....Dave's gut says, "I think I'll take another pint....and some of those crunchy pork things..."

Bartender - "Yeah, uhh Mr. Nonis, here's your Grasshopper, however, shouldn't you be doing something about the team?":conspire: :conspire:

Nonis - "Slluuuurp....crunch crunch - can't hear, crunching pork bites...:wicked: "

Nonis is last seen wandering through Stanley Park at 4:30AM looking for someone to help out in the top 6

Next practice there is a new guy no one will go near on account of his shear stench and in the dressing room the Sedin's are afraid to exit the shower on account of the new guys pet Coyote who has eaten their street cloths.

RB

[gordphish]

My gut tells me you might very well be right....Dave's gut says, "I think I'll take another pint....and some of those crunchy pork things..."

Bartender - "Yeah, uhh Mr. Nonis, here's your Grasshopper, however, shouldn't you be doing something about the team?":conspire: :conspire:

Nonis - "Slluuuurp....crunch crunch - can't hear, crunching pork bites...:wicked: "

Nonis is last seen wandering through Stanley Park at 4:30AM looking for someone to help out in the top 6

Next practice there is a new guy no one will go near on account of his shear stench and in the dressing room the Sedin's are afraid to exit the shower on account of the new guys pet Coyote who has eaten their street cloths.

RB

LOL...very funny...

But seriously...

Personally, I don't want to start belittling Nonis as a human being. I'm sure he's a nice enough guy to sit around the BBQ in the backyard and down a couple wobbly pops with...

But what is that to me? I'll never meet the guy, have dinner with him, or ask his daughter watch my kids for a night.

I'm only interested in how he's doing as the GM. And right now, things look pretty freaking bleak.

[TimmyTabasco]

Creative poll :D

canucks win

[TimmyTabasco]

What did he do, steal your milk and cookies?

[rustybadcock]

LOL...very funny...

But seriously...

Personally, I don't want to start belittling Nonis as a human being. I'm sure he's a nice enough guy to sit around the BBQ in the backyard and down a couple wobbly pops with...

But what is that to me? I'll never meet the guy, have dinner with him, or ask his daughter watch my kids for a night.

I'm only interested in how he's doing as the GM. And right now, things look pretty freaking bleak.

Awe shucks, I was just fooling around bro. I'm not up for trashing his person either, even though I just did - I am/ was merely trying to lighten up a pretty dark situation for all of us...

just trying to break some ice is all....pardon the pun. :thumb:

RB

[AtLossForWords]

I liked the part about Stanley Park, makes me think of some friends of mine.

This one was just ugly. Three unanswered goals after getting the lead on a defensive team is not the way this team is expected to play hockey. Without Luongo, this team is really next to nothing with the Sedins getting a pat on the back.

[rustybadcock]

I liked the part about Stanley Park, makes me think of some friends of mine.

This one was just ugly. Three unanswered goals after getting the lead on a defensive team is not the way this team is expected to play hockey. Without Luongo, this team is really next to nothing with the Sedins getting a pat on the back.

Do they live in the park? Just asking man, many people do....like I heard while I was living there that the the officials figured around 1000 people...:eek:

Or do you have friends that are Coyotes...? :conspire: :D :laughing:

And you know something else about last nights game....no heart really. They seem stunned, pre-occupied. Like something else is more important..

I was watching highlights earlier. They showed Miller post game interview. He looked wide eyed. He says,"we'd better right this ship now cause losing is catchy."

Well, if losing were the flu this teams got the plague.

:pimp:

RB

[rustybadcock]

Creative poll :D

canucks win

ya like that one eh....NOT! :laughing:

I'll make it up to you timmy, very soon...very very soon. Just been on the run in the AM these days it seems.

RB

[AtLossForWords]

Do they live in the park? Just asking man, many people do....like I heard while I was living there that the the officials figured around 1000 people...:eek:

Or do you have friends that are Coyotes...? :conspire: :D :laughing:

And you know something else about last nights game....no heart really. They seem stunned, pre-occupied. Like something else is more important..

I was watching highlights earlier. They showed Miller post game interview. He looked wide eyed. He says,"we'd better right this ship now cause losing is catchy."

Well, if losing were the flu this teams got the plague.

:pimp:

RB

No, they're drunk in the park at 4:30 talking about the top six.

I think this team expects their goalie to carry them. If you have Roberto between the pipes, our teams net wouldn't be filled with smoking one timers. They'd just have to clear the rebound a couple feet and let Lou make the next save.