Five for Fighting

What a night

I would've felt absolutely awful for Loui Eriksson if the Stars would've lost this one on a night where he scores a friggin' hat trick. Fortunately the Stars got a (very) fortunate call on the replay of the Manny Malhotra goal. It looked much like Brenden Morrow's denied goal in Game 5 in San Jose last playoffs. And that should've been a goal, too.
    Tippett's quote: "I thought it was exactly like the one Brenden Morrow had called back last season. If that’s the precedent, I’ve seen it before and you know my opinion on it."

So the Stars got a break and took advantage of it. Marty Turco finally stopped everything back there, because the rest of the game for him was pretty forgettable. Wipe the brow, exhale and be happy to come out on the winning end.

Loui, Loui... fabulous night again for him. I'll reiterate his goal stats, kids: 14 in 69 games last season, 17 in 31 games this season. Much-needed on this team, and he's delivering. And you could tell that chemistry we saw with him, Brad Richards and Joel Lundqvist can be captured again. Three guys, nine points among them.
    Richards: "That's the most success I've had on a line is with those two guys. You knew Lundy would come back with some excitement. Loui and I have been around it, but it's been a few games where it’s been tough going offensively. It was nice to get rewarded."
And Richards sorely needed a night like that. He's not been tallying the numbers of a guy earning close to $8 million, as he had just one assist in his first seven games this month. Frustrating for him, and frustrating to watch. Maybe this is the breakthrough he needs, because the Stars need his game elevated more often.

By the way, Columbus center Derick Brassard is out 3-4 weeks with a shoulder injury after that melee with James Neal. That's why he was saying "Stop." Sorry to hear that; believe me, it's tiring to write up that injury report on a daily basis.

Richards' turn

Brad Richards hadn't done much in December before this evening. Now he has a five-point night, as he backhanded one out of a scrum to give the Stars a 5-3 advantage at the 8:57 mark. Joel Lundqvist and Fabian Brunnstrom on the assists.

Now remember how successful the Lundqvist-Richards-Eriksson group was last playoffs. Rekindling the magic?

Eriksson gets No. 15

OK, everything's happening too fast now, but I caught the replay on Loui Eriksson's great start and even better finish. It was his work along the boards that got this going, then to Brad Richards who had a nifty pass right back to Eriksson who just flicked it in to tie it at 3:57.

That's a career high 15 goals for Mr. Eriksson, who just continues to be impressive. Trevor Daley on the secondary assist.

Strong Marty and no goal

Marty Turco has been good in this one, especially during the second period when the Coyotes were peppering him with opportunities. Yes, he's been a little lucky, too, but that's part of the goaltender repertoire.

Meanwhile, the Stars power play continues to be icky. They had some more opportunities on this last one, but since most of their shots hit defenseman Zbynek Michalek and not Ilya Bryzgalov, it's still just so-so. Brad Richards tried to stuff one in, and the officials took another look at it. But it didn't completely (completely, I say) cross the line, so nada.

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.

Stars closer again

Don't know if this was Brad Richards or Mike Ribeiro up front, but it's a power-play goal nonetheless for the Stars, now trailing 3-2. See what happens when you get traffic in front?

Oh, and more push just gave them another power play. What a concept. Yes, I've had too much coffee and I'm tired of watching mucky hockey.

Salvaging something

The Stars needed something on this one, and they got through on the 5 on 3, which has been tough for them this season (OK, everything's been tough for them this season).
Brad Richards rocketed this one, and it hit either the foot or the stick of Kings defenseman Sean O'Donnell with 21.2 seconds remaining in the first period. So it's something in what was otherwise a pretty forgettable first for the Stars. Honestly, you're lagging ridiculously behind everyone else in the standings. What more motivation do you need to actually show some spark?!

Stars will have 1:09 remaining on their second power play at the start of the second.

No Lehtinen, Richards OK

Jere Lehtinen skated this morning again but he's out for this evening. Dave Tippett said he's close. Been hearing that for a while.

Brad Richards is in tonight. He left a bit early last night, but whatever it is, it apparently isn't bothering him that bad.

Sergei Zubov was just fine after his first game back. Why should I be surprised... the guy is not from this planet. But Tippett is right: He plays smart, and that's why he can just jump back out there again.

Marty Turco gets the start again this evening. He played much better last night, so we'll see if he can keep that up.

Richards playing; already down 1-0

I originally didn't think he was out there, but yes he is, with his usual line of Sean Avery and Steve Ott. The other lines are per usual:
Morrow-Ribeiro-Eriksson
Neal-Modano-Crombeen
Barch-Petersen-Brunnstrom

And, yes, the Stars are already down 1-0 at 2:41, thanks to Marco Sturm's semi-slapshot. That was the Bruins' first shot of the game.

Richards out

    Don't know the reason yet (although I've heard it's possibly a lower-body injury), but Brad Richards is out for tonight's game against the Blackhawks. Guess I should've noticed something when he wasn't skating today, although it was technically an optional. I don't think he practiced Thursday in Dallas, either.
    That means Chris Conner is in, and the Stars still don't have a forward to spare.