Five for Fighting

Ott gets help this time

Steve Ott was getting under skin again, and threw some sweet hits on both Josh Gorges and Andrei Kostitsyn in quick succession. Then Gregory Stewart decided to instigate a fight with Ott (we'll see if there's actually a call on that) and it was on.

Almost. Someone on the Stars actually helped out Ott this time. No surprise who it was: defenseman Darryl Sydor, who was pretty vocal last Sunday on how the team was wrong not helping Ott when he was getting pummeled by the Ducks. No doubt he would back those comments up, ay?

Stewart doesn't get instigating but he does get interference and roughing. Now Alex Kovalev is heading to the box for roughing. Wow, Montreal probably can't wait for the first-period horn.

-- Tracey Myers

Stars up 4-0

Loui Eriksson holds, holds, holds, then slips it past an out-of-position Ty Conklin, and the Stars are now up 4-0 just two minutes into the second period. That's three power-play goals on four opportunities for the usually lackluster road power play.

Once again... huh. Great work by Darryl Sydor, by the way, to even keep this in the zone at the time. Assists from James Neal and Mike Modano.

Sydor practices, other items

Darryl Sydor was back on the ice with his former teammates today, skating with Matt Niskanen. Sydor is wearing No. 55, by the way, for those of you scoring at home...

Sydor, as you could imagine, was happy to be back. He doesn't know what role he'll have yet, or who his playing partner would be (Dave Tippett said they'll look at their options), but he's ready for whatever happens.

OK, now tidbits: B.J. Crombeen was placed on waivers today. If he clears, then the Stars could send him to the minors. If not, then someone else gets his services.

Trevor Daley, meanwhile, was out today with the flu. According to Tippett, he was sick when he played on Saturday night, too, so he took the day to rest. Jere Lehtinen is apparently a little dinged up, but Tippett figures he'll be a player on Thursday. The luxury of having a few days off.

Talked with Stephane Robidas a little bit today about Philippe Boucher's departure. Roby and Boucher were close friends, live in the same neighborhood and their kids go to school together (Roby's son and Boucher's daughter), so obviously Sunday was a sad day for him, too. You remember at times like this that these guys do consider themselves a family, and losing a member can hurt.

Boucher for Sydor: It's official

OK, kids, it's officially official that Darryl Sydor is coming back to the Stars for a third stint, and Philippe Boucher is headed to Pittsburgh. I've talked to both GMs already, and both said that the change should suit each player better. They also agreed that Sydor could provide more of a stabilizing presence on the blue line. Here's what Les Jackson had to say:
    "I think it’s a good situation for Boucher. He's been a good player and a great guy for us. He wants to find another contract next year, and I think the change is going to do him well. With the loss of (Mattias) Norstrom last year, we need that calming factor back there (with Sydor)."
    Brett Hull echoed those sentiments:
    "Both needed a change, and I think it works for both teams. We hope Syd comes in and does what he does best, which is lead by example on and off the ice. He stabilizes our room. His relationships go from Mike (Modano) to (Sergei Zubov) right through. You hate to lose a guy like Bouch, but it's the nature of the beast with how we were going."