Stars-Coyotes thoughts

I don’t think this one was rocket science. They were playing a team that was playing its second game in less than 24 hours and their game last night was a hard-fought game that went to a shootout. The Stars needed a strong start, and they got that. It was a better start than the last time the played the Coyotes, when it was basically the same situation. The Coyotes were playing their second game in less than 24 hours, but last time it was Phoenix that started strong and got the early lead.

The first goal was going to be key in tonight’s game, and the Stars got that this time around when Loui Eriksson set up James Neal in front of the net. As much as the first goal is key, so is the second one and the Stars got the turning point goal of the game when Neal set up Eriksson on a shorthanded breakaway and Eriksson cashed in. From the Coyotes perspective, they needed a save there and didn’t get it. As the team coming off the game the night before and being down 2-0, they were in some trouble.

It was the Jamie Benn show in the second period. He scored two goals to make it a 4-0 game and that was it.

Overall, it was a strong performance for the Stars. Regardless of the Phoenix’s situation coming into the game, the Stars played extremely well. Marty Turco turned in another strong game. He’s put together three straight excellent performances. The players in front of him were strong from the start of the game and physical, and it all added up to a big two points.

Eriksson and Neal hooked up on two big plays in the first. Benn had an outstanding game. Nicklas Grossman had a nice game, I thought. The Stars penalty kill, which was 6-6 on the night, was very good and Jere Lehtinen was a key to it.

That’s the last home game before the break and now they’ve got to find a way to get some points on the road in these last three games before the Olympics to keep pace in the playoff race. All three teams - Chicago, Calgary and Phoenix - are tough opponents. 

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