Stars-Hurricanes thoughts

I know on a night when the goalie gets a shutout and makes some big saves at key times he’s the story of the game, but I really thought the man for the Stars tonight was Brenden Morrow. He gets in a fight 25 seconds into the game and that just seemed to pull everybody else along into the game. Even saw Brad Richards engaging in a few shoving matches out there. Morrow was parked in front of the net on both Dallas goals, assisting on one and coming close to scoring on the other. He had seven hits and was just a force out there tonight. That was leadership. He was outstanding.

As for the goalie, he was very good too. Marty Turco came up with some big stops when the game was 1-0 and then a couple of big ones on that five-on-three Carolina power play in the third period. That was a key juncture of the game and he got some help from Loui Eriksson, Mark Fistric, Stephane Robidas and others. That was a big kill.

Both goals came on the power play. It was another game where special teams were key and the Stars were on the right side of the equation on this night. The power play looks good right now and it’s producing. Pucks and people are getting to the net and it’s adding up to goals. Brad Richards’ ability to get pucks through to the net is a big part of it and it was again tonight.

Steve Ott was good tonight too, drew a penalty leading to that first power play goal and had some excellent scoring chances.

On the Ray Whitney goal, my initial reaction was that it wasn’t a goal (and that was before any replay). I thought he kicked it in and I didn’t think it hit his stick. It was a lot closer than I thought on looking at the replay a few times and it was a tough call for the Hurricanes, but I think it was the right one. That was a huge moment in the game too. That goal counts and who knows how it plays out from there.

Anyway, it was a good solid effort following the New Jersey game and it was a second consecutive win, something that’s been a challenge for them this season. Good goaltending and winning the special teams battle is going to add up to wins on most nights and that’s what happened tonight.

No Nicklas Grossman tonight. He’s got a groin injury and is day-to-day. Looks like his status is up in the air for Wednesday. 

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