Five for Fighting

Ageless Modano and third-period resolve

Mike Modano hasn't looked like a 38-year-old this year, and the Stars' focus (instead of fold) in the third period needs to be seen a lot more often, especially considering that they are so injury-riddled now it's mind-boggling.

First, Modano. He was suffering back spams late Saturday night and thought about taking this one off. His dad (who I assume is in town for the holidays), told him no way was he going to sit: "Dad gave me lip service before I left not to sit this one out. He humbles you very quick." Coach Dave Tippett had a chuckle at the retelling: "Mike Sr. knows the situation."

I jokingly asked Modano if he felt like he was 28 again: "No. I’d give anything to be 28 again but it's not reality. But good passes like that, you can feel 28." He's referring, of course, to that very sweet pass by Brad Richards on that game-winner. That line with he, Modano and Loui Eriksson looked pretty good. They took a big chunk of minutes, obviously needed considering this injury situation (Modano logged 22:41, Richards with 23:49 and Eriksson at 25:34). Great clear, by the way, by Eriksson as the final seconds ticked down.

Anyway, the Stars in the third... could've gotten ugly again, especially after they blew the 2-0 lead. It really was starting to look like the broken record was playing again. Ah, but they came through against a team that's struggling as bad as they are right now. Some other thoughts:
    Marty Turco: "We talked about confidence and relaxing a little bit, making better decisions. Tonight was an awesome night for us, the way we played and came back. It was a sight for sore eyes to see late goals."
    Brad Richards: "It's going to be like that for a long time if we want to get back to where we want to be. No one’s feeling sorry for us. We could've hung our heads, as has happened in the past. But we kept getting back and staying patient and we won a game."

Tidbits:
    Give Sean Avery credit... the guy was working his butt off trying to get a goal. Planting himself in front of that net, and he had nine shots on goal before scoring on his final attempt. Guess nine's just a good number today.
    Good work by the grit group, especially Toby Petersen and Chris Conner. Petersen's had so many almosts with goal-scoring...
    Hey, the power play got off the 0 for 21 skid.
    All right, kids, I'm heading out of here and packing for the trip to Canada. See you later.

And then there's Mo

Just in case the Oilers haven't been stymied by Mike Modano enough in his career, he's at it again. Mo gets what could be the game-winner, and it's also good for his 1,300th career point as the Stars go up 4-3. He may be 38, but he isn't looking like it.

Edmonton ties it

Good Lord, once again, no such thing as prosperity.

Sheldon Souray loads up and blasts one off the faceoff, Turco stops that one but it's a big ol' rebound and he's too far out to stop a all-by-his-lonesome Kyle Brodziak from getting the rebound. That's at 16:38.

Stars on the power play.

Avery rewarded

The guy's been shooting enough in this game, and he finally hits paydirt. Sean Avery is planted right in front and is ready for James Neal's pass, and his goal gives the Stars a 3-2 lead with just over five minutes remaining in regulation.

That was his ninth shot of the game, according to the stat sheet.

Oilers tie it

The Oilers have been pushing since the second period, and they're getting rewarded for it.

Marty Turco can't contain the rebound off Sheldon Souray's shot (Doug Janik couldn't get untied in front to get it out of the crease, either), and Kyle Brodziak knocks it home as the Oilers square this one at 4:21.

Once again, these third periods are just way too interesting, and not in a good way.

By the way, Sean Avery has six shots on goal in this one thus far, most of any Stars player. Guy's trying.

Oilers get one

Ales Hemsky, who probably should have at least one more considering his work in this game, gets the Oilers on the board here in the second period. It's a power-play goal, and Shawn Horcoff and Sheldon Souray are on the assists. The Stars are playing with fire here in the second, as the Oilers have spent a lot of time in the Stars zone. Oilers outshooting the Stars 10-5 in this period with six minutes remaining.

Who needs pretty?

When you're struggling, you just need success no matter how you get it. The Stars didn't have the most film-worthy goals in the first period, but I'm guessing with a 2-0 lead they could care less. Good work by the guys in the first period. Chris Conner having a pretty good first period, and same with Loui Eriksson (oh yeah, I've said that a lot).

Stars make it 2-0

Chris Conner does some great work to keep this puck in the Stars' possession, and Toby Petersen's deft deflection puts them up 2-0 at the 13:01 mark. Petersen was planted in front and redirected Matt Niskanen's shot from the blue line. Anyway, much-needed start for the Stars.

Stars up 1-0

For a change, the Stars score on their first or second shot instead of giving one up at that point.

Mike Modano scorched one, and the puck goes up in the air, hits Oilers goalie Jeff Drouin-Deslauriers (wow, imagine spelling that name over and over) in the head, off the arm, and Mike Ribeiro knocks it home with his stick below the crossbar.

It's 1-0 Stars, with Modano and Brad Richards on the assists. Power-play goal, too, ending their 0 for 21 skid.

Krys Barch and Zach Sortini in a lengthy little brawl right now. Guys aren't going to have enough friggin' energy for the rest of the game.

Lines vs. Oilers

This is what we're seeing thus far:
    Modano-Richards-Eriksson
    Neal-Ribeiro-Avery
    Conner-Petersen-Parrish
    Barch-Ribeiro-Wilson
Guessing Brunnstrom won't get many sniffs in this one... Defensive pairings: Grossman-Robidas, Sydor-Daley, Janik-Niskanen