I read him as a very good player who still needs a little help being motivated every now and then.
Did Dave Tippett's public criticism light a fire? Modano has been very good in the last two games.
My guess is Tippett only resorted to going public after he tried some private criticism and urging.
But the question still has to be: Did Modano's energy come from a couple of days off or did it come from trying a lot harder?
It's a tough question to answer, but it does prove Tippett's point that this depleted team can win if Modano plays hard.
I felt he was clearly the best player in the game, and the most important to the Stars. He created energy with Brendan Morrison and really helped drag Morrison (who has looked lost) into the game. They struck chemistry with their puck possession, and they really seemed to feed off of each other.
James Neal, who is proving to be a deadly calm sniper with just fantastic hands, could really benefit if that line gets up and running.
Dallas plays three games in the next eight days. Modano should be pretty refreshed.
Can he play like this every game?
And if he does, what kind of team can the Stars be?
_Mike Heika
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