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Don't be afraid to let goYes, they beat the Los Angeles Kings on the road -- and in a shootout -- 5-4 last night getting their biscuits bailed out by Loui Eriksson (tying power-play goal, shootout winner).
The win puts the Stars still one point out of the playoffs (tied with Los Angeles for ninth) and still a distant third in the Pacific.
You almost feel the long, agonizing death coming on. The hot start mixed with the steady mid-section of the season. Then the injuries add up and everything goes in the crapper.
What's killing the Stars are the silly losses to bad teams. Losing to Anahiem (on the road or no) is pretty inexcusable. Along with losses to Columbus, St. Louis and the Islanders, the Stars compete with just about every team but the losses against bad teams will keep them out of the playoffs.
Furthermore, they'll need to learn to win on the road. They are an OK 11-10-1 on the road. That an a good mark at home (13-7 ... eh) will get you 90+ points and a seat on the couch when the Stanley Cup playoffs start.
The Stars and especially GM Joe Nieuwendyk will need to take a long, hard look at their roster and make some decisions. Granted, the next month is going to play itself out and further evaluation can be made. However, the Stars can't be scared to play for 2012-13. Michael Ryder is having a brilliant season. He's signed for two years, $7 million. A major coup for Nieuwendyk.
It's important, now, for the team to look what what he might bring in the trade market for a potential young scorer or defenseman. Same goes for Sheldon Souray (another great find for Nieuwendyk), Stephane Robidas (signed through 2013-14), Radek Dvorak and others.
Any of those guys go to a true contender and help them win a Cup.
You don't need to gut the team. And you don't have to give anyone away. You have a nucleus in tact (Eriksson, Benn, Lehtonen, Goligoski). The Stars are in a good position to stay still or make an impact move. It's Nieuwendyk's first real test.
Notes:
1. The Stars are 3-1 in shootouts.
2. Eric Nystrom has 13 goals for the Stars. Far beyond his career high.
3. Ryder: 17 goals, 15 assists.
4. The Stars are squarely in the bottom third of the league in power play and penalty kill. Not good.
5. Kari Lehtonen is not exactly redefining the position. Won his 150th game last night. Right at his career averages in GAA (2.54) and save percentage (.917).
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