| Wednesday night was a glimpse of what it is like
when Eric Lindros is at the top of his game. Lindros was
by far the best player on the ice in the Stars 4-1 win
over St. Louis.
He was physical, had five shots on goal and scored
two by going to the front of the net. He had four hits
and a fighting major as well.
It was an impressive performance.
"Eric is a hard guy to contain when he is playing
like he played tonight," Modano said after the game.
"His M.O. since he came into the league has been to
create space and make things happen. He did that
tonight.''
Lindros had a real edge to his game and it showed
late when nailed Dallas Drake and then dropped the
gloves with Dan Hinote.
Lindros also came up with a stellar and key defensive
play. With the Stars on a five-on-three power play and
already having given up a breakaway, they gave up a
two-on-one break as well. Lindros went down to take away
the passing lane, forcing Eric Brewer to put a shot on
net from a sharp angle and Marty Turco made the easy
save.
It's ironic that it was the the Stars that dodged a
bullet on that five-on-three. They had a chance to
extend a 2-1 lead and ended up giving up the two quality
scoring chances. Turco made the stop on the Dallas Drake
breakaway and then Lindros came up with the nice
defensive play to help neutralize the two-on-one. A St.
Louis goal there could have been a big shift in
momentum.
The Modano line was particularly strong too,
producing the game-winning goal and the goal that
did extend the lead to 3-1.
Modano had a goal and an assist as did Jokinen, who
may have had his best game of the season. Lehtinen had
an assist and forced the turnover that led to Modano's
goal.
"Jussi's starting to move, starting to skate, finding
open ice and making plays," said Modano. "I think that
is when he is at his best, when his legs are moving.
When all three of us are skating things seem to open up
and our opportunities come from that."
The Stars got off to another slow start. That break
they took after the Los Angeles game actually seemed to
lead to some temporary rust early in the game. They were
slow out of the gate and the Blues made them pay,
scoring a goal 1:16 in to take an early lead. But the
Stars finally got their game going by the midway point
of the first period and played well after that.
"After the first couple minutes the guys played
really great again tonight. It's a good sign going on
the road trip," said Turco.
After a four-game homestand, the Stars head out
for four on the road. There will be the Western Canada
swing with stops in Edmonton, Vancouver and Calgary.
They'll wrap it up with a game in Phoenix. |
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