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Stars News & Notes: Looking to get back on track Tuesday, March 18, 2008 After a couple of days to recharge their batteries the Dallas Stars were back on the ice for a hour-long practice in Frisco Tuesday as they get ready for a key game against the Anaheim Ducks Wednesday. "That was a spirited workout," said coach Dave Tippett. "Lots of energy and a good real up tempo hour. That's what we are looking for." The two days they spent away from the ice are part of a plan as the Stars prepare for the stretch drive that has some uneven scheduling. The Stars are currently in the middle of a stretch where they play two games in eleven days, but they'll close the season with six games in 11 days. "This is not just a ‘what are we doing the next day’ plan. This is a plan to get our team ready to max out as best we can down the stretch and in the playoffs," Tippett said. "We put this plan together a while ago and we’re sticking to it. Hopefully these days of rest will benefit us and give us the energy we need." And the hope is that boost of energy both physically and mentally will help the team get back on track and end the slide that has seen them drop five of their last six games. "We had a couple of days off. It was a good rest and chance to get yourself focused again and come back energized," said forward Niklas Hagman. "We want to start playing well. The playoffs are right around the corner. We know we can play good, we've shown that. We just need to get ourselves on the right track." That recent slide coupled with strong runs by both San Jose and Anaheim have pushed the Stars down from first in the Pacific to third, and from second in the conference to fifth. Despite the recent turn of events, the belief is that winning the division is still within reach. "We have four games against two of those teams that are right there. We just look at it that we have to take care of ourselves right," said Tippett. "You recognize what is going on around you, but we need to get our game up and going. If we play well the points will take care of itself and the standings will take care of itself. That should be our motivation right now." The Stars will face the first of those head-to-head matchups with San Jose and Anaheim when the Ducks come to town for a key game Wednesday night. The Stars trail the Ducks by one point in the standings and the way it stands now they would open the playoffs on the road in Anaheim. "We need to turn things around and get this ship righted real quick and hopefully we are going to do that [Wednesday] night," said captain Brenden Morrow. "It's real important for us to take care of this game against Anaheim and these head-to-head games and try to get that home ice and start these playoffs right at home." Said goalie Marty Turco: "All these games will determine where we are at the end of the year. We aren't guaranteed the playoffs. We aren't guaranteed anything. The only thing we can guarantee is the way we play and we hope it is the way we can." Injury update The Stars were hoping that defenseman Sergei Zubov, who is recovering from surgery on a broken foot, would get to see the doctor on Tuesday and get the OK to start skating. But bad weather delayed the plan a bit. "The doctor he is going to see is in an airport somewhere," coach Dave Tippett said after Tuesday'spractice. "We'll see where that goes the rest of the day." If Zubov gets the clearance he would start skating later this week as he tries to get ready to play in a few regular season games before the playoffs start. Defenseman Stephane Robidas, who injured his cheek during Saturday's game against Vancouver, was wearing a protective cage during Tuesday's practice. Practice lines Here are the practice lines used in Tuesday's practice by the Stars. They were the same as those used in Saturday's game against the Canucks.
Quotable "They are built for the playoffs and we want to prove that we are too. It should be another good one." Stars goalie Marty Turco on Wednesday's matchup with the Anaheim Ducks Quotable II "We're not trying to read too much into it. We know we're a good team. We know we can play anybody." Anaheim center Doug Weight on the Ducks' 1-5-0 record against the Stars this season
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