Five for Fighting

Zubov to have hip surgery in January

The Stars got some good news with players returning today, but bad news on their longtime defenseman.

Just got word that defenseman Sergei Zubov will have hip surgery in January; it will be done in Colorado. That means he will be out indefinitely (i.e., out for basically the season). It's been a tough year for Zubov, and that injury just wasn't getting any better. What that means for his future past these few months, this season, I don't know. I remember talking to him midway through last year, when the sports hernia had cost him so much time. The thought of retirement wasn't anywhere near his mind. But another year later, and dealing with a hip that just will not heal, you wonder.

He is in the final year of his contract (he had signed a one-year extension in July of 2007, which was tacked on to his three-year deal signed in the summer of 2005). Just too bad to see the guy going through this.

Robidas about ready; Zubov outlook "gray"

Stop me if this surprises you: Stephane Robidas is ready to play tomorrow's game against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Coach Dave Tippett said Robidas has been cleared by doctors, one week after suffering a hairline fracture in his jaw, and Tippett added, "my guess is he'll play." Yeah, not shocked at all. This is who this guy is and why we love him. If he can stand up, he'll play.

Good news is, the rest of the injured brood is pretty close. Joel Lundqvist (shoulder) didn't have as physical of a practice today as he did on Monday, but it's all still going well. Jere Lehtinen (upper body) is feeling good, but he's also very careful about making sure he's 100 percent ready (and we mean 100 percent). Let's keep in mind how tough this season has been for him. He doesn't want to dive back in only to end up sidelined again, like earlier this season. Steve Ott (hand) is doing just fine, too, but coming back in the next game or two would be rushing it (he's only at about the three-week mark right now). When he does come back, he won't be fighting for a while. He just can't with that hand. Brian Sutherby (groin) also skated this morning, but he's out for tomorrow. As Tippett summed up this group: They need to be as healthy as possible before they're thrown back in. Caution is still a big word.

Now, about Sergei Zubov. He's talked to someone in Colorado, and Tippett said, "there's still some gray area. He's talking to some people and we'll see where that goes. He's weighing a bunch of different options." Does that mean another surgery or procedure? It's an option, but that's not certain.

Tippett will address that situation tomorrow, so we'll keep you posted.

Zubov on IR, Jancevski recalled

Well, here we go again with the revolving injury door. Sergei Zubov was placed on injured reserve with his hip injury (first time I've called it something other than a lower-body injury), retroactive to Nov. 28. Also, Dan Jancevski was called up from the Hamilton Bulldogs. I'm wondering if that means Stephane Robidas is absent for a game or two (at least) while he gets his teeth fixed at the dentist.

Coach Dave Tippett was asked today if Zubov was needing surgery. He said no, but that he was getting opinions from several doctors and then he and the Stars will go from there (i.e., that doesn't sound good, does it?)

Now for Jancevski: He's played 25 games for Hamilton this season, with a goal and nine assists (most of any Bulldog D-man) and 34 penalty minutes. He has played in four games with the Stars.

Zubov out

Sergei Zubov is indeed out of the lineup for today's game. Not a shocking announcement, but now we'll wait and see exactly how long he could be out. Just wone more thing at this point, eh?

Zubov crashes, Modano scores

Sergei Zubov tried to stop himself behind Turco, but he slid and went head-first into the boards instead. He was down for a few moments, but as you can see he has returned to the ice. Scottie Upshall got called for the trip (although he didn't), but Mike Modano turned it into a power-play goal for the Stars at 2:30. Mark Parrish and Stephane Robidas on the assists for the Stars.

The Stars are showing a lot more life right now, and Josh Gratton just went to the box for roughing at 4:38. We'll see if the Stars can do anything with that.

Modano, by the way, is now three points away from 1,300 for his career.

Healthy veterans and sweet stitches

    Pretty quiet at the morning skate this morning, because the Stars are enjoying something they haven't most of this season: Good health. Every body was out there today, and everybody's big or little hurts are healed. Nice change of pace. Jere Lehtinen and Sergei Zubov, meanwhile, have stepped in and basically returned to form. At least that's what it looks like to us. I asked Dave Tippett about their seemingly rust-less returns:
    "Every game’s a playoff game right now, so you can’t just shuffle around on the ice. We need top performances on the ice. When players are taking quality minutes, quality situations, we need those players to play well. The quicker they can get up to full speed, the better off we are."
    Meanwhile, Mike Ribeiro's left eye looks just fine. His stitches are right around his eyebrow, so they actually blend in. Told him he needs to make it part of his fashion repertoire:
    "I guess scar well," Ribeiro said. "You can’t really see it. I think it looks good."

Mo has a beauty

There's no substitute for talent and longtime chemistry, as Mike Modano and Sergei Zubov just showed. Zubov held, held, held that puck until the right time, then a pass to Modano and a sweet goal that caught the inside of the far post to help the Stars tie this one at the 9:46 mark.

Wow, did they need that one.

By the way, unbelievable hit by Dustin Brown on Stephane Robidas, sending Roby into the Kings bench. Of course, Mr. Durable got right back up and at 'em.

Zubov ready, Lehtinen?

Sergei Zubov was just activated from the IR, and it looks like he's ready to roll. Jere Lehtinen did skate with the team this morning and (not surprisingly) looked pretty darned good. He's listed as a gametime decision, so we may see both return in one shot. Won't that be nice!

Post-practice update

OK, we're back...
Got to talk to Mark Parrish after practice, and to say he's excited about the opportunity would be selling the situation short. "Estatic?" he said. Parrish said he was absolutely thrilled when he found out the Stars were interested, and a chance to catch up with some old friends (Mike Modano, Toby Petersen) was even better. He'll be wearing #37, by the way.

Updates on everyone else... Sergei Zubov was out there and looked good. Shocking. Are we surprised when he looks good? I mean really. He is who he is, and that's one unbelievable player. Dave Tippett said Zubov was in early today, so you know the guy is just dying to get back on the ice.

Little clarification on the Steve Ott. He started practice, and then he and Brenden Morrow left early with lower-body injuries. Doesn't sound bad, just letting them get off work a bit early. Jere Lehtinen did skate prior to the other guys this morning, and Tippett said they're hoping he'll practice tomorrow.
    Lines today (take with a heaping spoon o' salt):
    Morrow-Ribeiro-Eriksson
    Avery-Modano-Brunnstrom
    Richards-Parrish (missing bodies, although Stu Barnes cameoed on the wing!)
    Barch-Petersen-Crombeen

In closing... and no Zubov this weekend

OK, I'll explain the Sergei Zubov situation first, because it's bound to cause some head-scratching when you see the headline:
    We all thought (and were originally told) that Zubov would be back against the Boston Bruins on Nov. 1. But coach Dave Tippett said that, apparently, Zubov isn't eligible to return until the following game, which isn't until Nov. 7 at Anaheim. Here's what Tippett said after the game:
    "It's 24 days and 10 games, but he can't play on the 24th day. It has to be the 25th. He's close, but I'm not sure he would've played anyway (against Boston). But now that just rules him out. He won't be eligible until Anaheim (next week)."
    So there you have it. Odd, yes, but I guess it's just a matter of making sure you count right, and I think it's all square now. In the big picture, the Stars are just missing him for one game, and it will give Zubov another week to practice with the team and get ready for the Nov. 7 outing.
    Now, onto the game:
    Great defensive outing by the Stars. The defensive emphasis was there, and they were reminded once again that it has to be there all the time. Not just when the backup is playing. Not just when your backs are against the wall and you're beyond desperate for a victory. All the time. Just because the goaltender is the last one responsible for cleaning up messes doesn't mean he should have to do it as often as he had to these first few games.
    The Brad Richards line was great. Steve Ott was exactly what this group needed. Sean Avery kind of slipped under the radar I think (could've made him a star, too); he played pretty darned good with the puck, and his drop pass to Matt Niskanen on the young man's goal was a beauty. Tippett called this Richards' best game of the season. I agree.
    Kudos to this whole team, really, for this performance. Now the next goal: do it again. It's almost November, and the Stars still haven't won two games in a row. That's still unbelievable. They need to stop this one great game, one lousy game routine they've been working through this month. You've got two biggies on the road. Make your mark.
    Oh, and my question: Stephan was solid. His defense responded well. Would you start him again in this back-to-back, and in which game?