Five for Fighting

Thank goodness for goaltending

That's what the Stars were saying today, and for good reason. With the rest of the team living on fumes thanks to another long road trip and long flight home, Mike Smith was more than up to the task. The kid look good, and now he has left his coach in the best quandary: Deciding today's netminder.

Tippett said on Friday he would split the two this weekend; he backtracked off that after this game, saying the Stars would re-evaluate that decision tomorrow morning. They always want to go with the hot goaltender, right? Of course, Marty was pretty good in San Jose on Thursday.

Anyway, the Stars will take this one today and have no excuse for no energy tomorrow afternoon. And they'll need every bit of it against a very hot Anaheim team.

See you in less than 24 hours.

Smith in goal

Sorry, folks, I'm still on West Coast time!

Mike Smith gets the start today in goal, which (unless they change their minds) means Turco will go tomorrow.
B.J. Crombeen is in the lineup, and he and his other linemates just took the ice. Each of the top three lines are already getting sniffs at the net. Here are the combos:
Lundqvist-Halpern-Ott
Hagman-Modano-Eriksson
Morrow-Ribeiro-Miettinen
Barch-Barnes-Crombeen

Turco in, Zubov ?

Marty Turco gets the start against the plucky Duckies tomorrow night in Anaheim. As for Sergei Zubov, sounds like he's a gametime decision. He was in practice today, and it looked like everything was fine. So we'll find out tomorrow. Young defenseman Mark Fistric was still out there, too.

It's another beautiful day out here. I used to be down on the L.A. area, but I'm warming up to it pretty darned quick.

Smith in goal

Mike Smith gets the start in St. Louis tonight. The Stars have been around .500 in the second half of these back-to-backs this season (they were something like 13-2 last year), so I'm sure they'd like to get this one under their belts before taking that flight to Los Angeles later tonight.

It's been tough sledding in St. Louis, though.They haven't won there since Dec. 26, 2005.

Whatta stop!

Actually, one or two by Marty Turco on that crazy power-play for the Sharks, but none bigger than the point-blank halt on Joe Thornton.

Great game today, and that kill was pretty big.

Who's in goal?

Mike Smith is apparently getting his third consecutive start tomorrow night. Marty Turco told the media that after practice, and Smith talked about the third start afterward.

Coach Tippett wasn't saying anything either way, other than to say it will be decided this morning.

Smith has been the hot goaltender, and the Stars like to go with the guy on a roll. Turco, though, is 2-0 against the Ducks this season.

Any thoughts here?