Five for Fighting

Modano scores

This was a pretty one, and a reminder that Modano is still a sniper. Great back-and-forth between he and Brenden Morrow, and then Modano just laced this one past Giguere.

Stars tie it, with assists from Morrow and Lehtinen, at 6:45 in the second period.

Ott-Modano-Barnes

That's our starting line tonight against the Sharks. I'm a little perplexed, only because of Tuesday's practice when Modano was with Richards and Barnes. I was wondering if this was a brief ruse, just a starter line before Richards and Mo are paired together later.

Bet I'm wrong. By the way, Boucher is out there with Mark Fistric.

Zubov, Boucher getting closer

Dallas Stars coach Dave Tippett said defensemen Sergei Zubov (foot) and Philippe Boucher (shoulder) are "day to day" and getting closer to returning. Boucher will be re-evaluated Thursday morning to see if he could be possibly ready for San Jose. Zubov is unlikely to return Thursday.

Lines were again shook up in practice with Mike Modano returning to a checking line with Steve Ott and Stu Barnes. Brad Richards, who was teamed with Modano and Barnes on Monday, centered a line with Niklas Hagman and Loui Eriksson.

--Milenko Martinovich

Modano scores

It's Mike Modano's turn, as he gets a loose puck, dances around with Chicago defenseman Duncan Keith and forward Patrick Sharp watching, then went high on Patrick LaLime for a 2-1 Stars lead at 9:58. The Stars seem to be feeling it tonight, just watching them skate around. Every line looks pretty darned motivated right now.

Modano with empty-netter

Mike Modano causes a turnover, then throws the easy empty-net shot in for a 5-1 advantage at 18:01.

That oughta do it, I would think. That's 17 goals this season for Modano, by the way.

Modano's turn

Mike Modano rockets one past Bryzgalov on a 5 on 3 as the Stars take a 2-1 lead at the 16:28 mark. Jere Lehtinen gets the assist, it's his second helper of the night.

Not bad for a guy who's six games into a return off missing 33.

Modano takes elbow

Mike Modano just took a wicked elbow from Oilers defenseman Joni Pitkanen around the blue line. Play continued for a few moments while Modano was down on his hands and knees. It was pretty ugly, and it's surprising that there was no penalty called on this one. Could be a suspension, though, possibly? Anyway, Modano skated to the bench and looks like he's OK.

Mo scores

We're just 1:30 into the second period and Mike Modano lasered one high over Curtis Sanford for a 2-1 Stars lead. Credit Niklas Hagman and Mattias Norstrom with assists on this one. It just developed fast and Modano didn't waste time with his blistering shot.

Mo strikes again

Mike Modano gets his second of the night, this one a wicked shot off after Stephane Robidas' shot was stopped. I'd be surprised if Nabokov even saw this one

Stars are up 3-2 at the 12:54 mark. Hagman gets the primary assist, with Robidas getting the secondary helper.

Mo scores

While everyone was watching the hit on Niklas Hagman, Loui Eriksson fed a beauty of a pass from behind the net to Mike Modano, who had an easy one for a 2-1 Stars lead. That's two assists for Eriksson tonight, and Hagman also has two points now.