Five for Fighting

Zubov week to week; no Lehtinen tonite

Sorry, folks, running late on this:

Sergei Zubov is week to week with foot and groin issues. Tippett said this morning he's getting better, but it wasn't good enough for them to bring him up on this trip for the moment.

Jere Lehtinen won't go tonight. Tippett reiterated that he's "real close," but he'll at least be sitting this one out. I think he had just gotten off the ice as we were talking to Tip, so we'll see when he comes back into the lineup.

Turco goes tonight. Tippett said they'll figure out later how they juggle these two over the back-to-backs coming up Friday and Saturday in Edmonton and Calgary, respectively.

Zubov not here

Sergei Zubov did not make the Western Canada trip, so he's sidelined at least the next three games. I wasn't at practice yesterday, so I don't know the extent of his injury. The Stars weren't too worried about it before the break, and it may not be. But it may be enough of a concern that they don't want to hurry him in for three games, just to have him tweak something again. Hopefully find out more today on that.

Anyway, it's about 40 and very pretty up here in Vancouver. Yes, I can hear you all now (pretty?!) If I'm going to have a winter, it might as well be a real one with some snow on the ground!

Back at it, baby!

Hey kids,

Yes, our All-Star weekend hangover is over, and the Stars get back at it today. I'll be heading up to Vancouver this afternoon, but I expect to see Jere Lehtinen when I get up there tonight. And is there any doubt this team needs him back? I think the team has missed him as much as they have Mr. Zubov, who should be close to ready to go, too.

Anyway, we'll be back in touch in Vancouver. Stay warm. Oh, that's for me.

Goalie talk

I love when they talk to the goaltenders during these games. Rick DiPietro barely starts the game when the Versus guys are asking him to comment on his hip pain from a scissor move the night before. So what happens? Yep, Rick Nash scores on him.

Ah, who are we kidding: Is any mic'd-up goaltender going to be any funnier than Marty Turco was last season?

Delays, delays

Sorry, not a fan of games that take forever to get going. Reserve introductions, starter introductions, anthems, etc. PLAY THE GAME!

By the way, anyone notice Scott Gomez mugging for the camera a few times already? That's the whole point of this deal, though: Have some fun.

Buzz-worthy?

I had gotten an e-mail about this from someone, so I figured I'd respond on here, too. It has been thrown out there on the website, www.hockeybuzz.com, that Marty Turco is being traded for Martin St. Louis of the Tampa Bay Lightning. Turco, by the way, has a no-trade clause in his contract.

Co-GM Les Jackson's response: "We are not trying to trade Marty Turco. He's a big part of our team. I think people who put rumors out there just want me to respond to it. It's a waste of time because it's just rumor."

Anyway, just wanted to respond to the masses on it since it's out there. Thoughts?

Let it... rain?

This is a winter storm? Are ya kiddin' me? Sorry, but being a product from the Northeast, I always laugh at the south's version of "winter" weather. Yeah, it's a little brisk outside, but big whoop. I didn't even get that whimpy version of snow that falls once in a great moon down here.

Sorry, I'm aggravated because I'm having to go three days without hockey. This is going to be a tough withdrawl weekend.

My oh my

Here's exhibit D on how I can't figure out this team. They play some of their best hockey in San Jose, and here against Anaheim. Then they play Columbus and Buffalo, two teams having big troubles on the road, and they lose both. Don't get it, don't get it, don't get it. But this seems to be a bad habit of theirs, struggling against not-so-good teams. Remember the end of the regular season last year? Losses to Columbus and Chicago.

Anyway, they're on break for the next three days. I'm sure most of them will take the time to rest. They should think about this one for a little bit, though... these aren't ones you want being the difference-makers come March and April.

Enjoy the weekend, folks, and stay warm. Keep those faucets dripping tonight.

STUUUU!

That's one name the crowd could chant in unison, since both teams love him. Stu Barnes ties this one at the 17:08 mark. Mattias Norstrom had a great pass to him, and Barnes never broke stride in sliding this one past Ryan Miller on the glove side.

Norstrom and Niskanen on the assists.

No goal

The crowd was just starting to groan as the referees called a huddle in front of the Stars goal. Thomas Vanek deflected this one, but he deflected it with a stick that was well above the net. Mr. McGeough checks with the powers that be and confirms it: No goal for Buffalo.

Score remains 1-0 Sabres at 10:45.