Don't look now, but the eighth-ranked Dallas Stars are now just three points behind both the Pacific Division leading Phoenix Coyotes (3rd seed in the Western Conference) and the sixth-seeded Chicago Blackhawks. The Coyotes have a game in hand over the Stars, while Dallas has played one fewer game than Chicago.
With 70 points in 63 games, the Stars are just one point behind seventh-ranked San Jose. However, the Sharks have two games in hand over Dallas. The Stars hold tie-breaker advantages over their closest pursuers for the final Western Conference playoff spot, and are two points up on Los Angeles (62 GP) and Colorado (63 GP) with a three point lead over Calgary (62 GP).
As a result of the Stars' current four-game winning streak, they have put general manager Joe Nieuwendyk in the driver's seat at today's NHL trade deadline. If another team wants to acquire Steve Ott, it will have to overwhelm the Stars with an offer. Likewise, the asset price tag to acquire impending unrestricted free agent Adam Burish is higher now than it was a week ago at this time.
Still playing without Jamie Benn, the Stars pulled off one of their gritty third period comebacks followed by an overtime victory that have been one of their specialties over the last two seasons. The big difference yesterday was that they pulled the feat off against the powerhouse Vancouver Canucks, who are virtually automatic in closing out games they lead after two periods -- and who blew the Stars out in all four meetings last season.
Once again, Kari Lehtonen was stellar in goal, and the likes of Michael Ryder, the red-hot Mike Ribeiro and Loui Eriksson provided the team with just enough offense to win. The Stars played a disciplined game and only took two minor penalties (killing both successfully) while cashing in on one of their own two man advantages.
Things don't get any easier for the Stars in the days to come, however. Up next is a meeting with the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday at the American Airlines Center.
The Stars also still have to deal with three more games with Vancouver, all of which will take place in March; a ridiculous quirk in the ever-suspect NHL schedule.
While the team may not match yesterday's 18,097 attendance come Wednesday, hopefully another healthy-sized crowd will turn out for the Penguins tilt as the Stars begin the stretch drive right about where they need to be as they start their final push for the playoffs.
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