Stars News and Notes: Line juggling

Monday, December 28, 2009-11:11:pm
/Andrew's Dallas Stars Page                            

Stars head coach Marc Crawford identified some issues after Saturday's loss in Denver and on Monday he juggled his forward lines to try to fix them.

After that 4-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche, Crawford noted that left wing James Neal, center Brad Richards and right wing Loui Eriksson were a combined minus-ten in the game.

On Monday, Crawford shook up his top line, moving Eriksson to left wing and putting Jere Lehtinen on the right side of Richards.

"I think the Richards line has been giving up way too many chances," Crawford said. "They've been getting other teams' top lines of late and when you give up chances continually, you've got to do something. That's what we've done.

"On that line now we've got probably our two best defensive players, who are both playing well offensively, to play with Brad. Loui can play both left wing and right wing, so it's not much of a change for him."

After Saturday's game Crawford he talked about players needing to go to the front of the net and paying the price to score goals.

In that regard, he's put Neal, the team's leading goal scorer, and Steve Ott on a line with center Mike Ribeiro.

"We've put two guys who go to the net really well with probably our best playmaker in Ribeiro," Crawford said.

The third line consisted of captain Brenden Morrow, Tom Wandell and Jamie Benn. That trio has played well in recent games but was not intact Saturday because Morrow was out due to illness.

"I've liked the way the two kids have played with Morrow," Crawford said. "I like the chemistry that has been evolving on that the line the last few games they've played together. I think Brenden is playing well. I think he is taking to the mentoring role."

Mike Modano, who had been playing some wing the past couple games, was back at center in Monday's practice. He had Krys Barch, Toby Petersen and Fabian Brunnstrom as his wings.

Brian Sutherby, the team's other forward, skated on defense in some of the drills to give the team four sets of defensemen.

Injury update

• Defenseman Stephane Robidas, who was hit in the side of the face with a puck in Sunday's practice, did not practice Monday. Stars head coach Marc Crawford said he is hopeful Robidas, who will have to wear a mask, would play Tuesday against Chicago.
   

• Defenseman Trevor Daley (shoulder) went through another full practice on Monday. He was activated from injured reserve Monday afternoon and should be ready to play after missing the last five games.
   

• Defenseman Mark Fistric (concussion) practiced again on Monday. He is close to returning as well, but is questionable for Tuesday's game. Fistric has missed the last four games.

Practice lineup

Here was the lineup the Stars used in practice Monday.