Stars News & Notes: February a key month

Tuesday, February 03, 2009-12:44:am
/Andrew's Dallas Stars Page                            

Although the Dallas Stars are 16-7-3 record over the past couple months and have climbed from 15th in the Western Conference to 6th, their work is far from done.

They are one of seven teams packed together in a very tight race right now in the conference, and there is an opportunity for teams to break away from the the pack.

"I look at it now that we've just got it stabilized. We've just got ourselves in position. Now we've got to push farther ahead," Stars coach Dave Tippett said. "We have the capability to do that. I think there is a lot of room for our team to grow."

The Stars see this month as a chance to push ahead and gain some ground in the fight for a playoff spot. In February the Stars play 13 games, ten of them at home.

"It's a very important month," said center Brad Richards. "It could put us into a great position going into March."

In March the Stars play 16 games, nine of which are on the road. Eight of those nine road games involve travel out West. So the Stars want to take advantage of this home heavy schedule in February and put some points in the bank before March.

"Sixteen games in 31 days is going to take a toll on us, so we need to make the most of this month and give ourselves some breathing room," said center Mike Modano.

But that doesn't mean February will be a skate in the park. Four of the games in month come against three of the four top teams in the Western Conference right now - San Jose, Calgary and Chicago. Seven more of the games come against teams who are anywhere from two to six points ahead or behind the Stars in the standings.

"They're all tough," said Tippett. "We're going to have to make hay in both February and March if we're going to make the playoffs."

And that's going to have to start with taking advantage what's ahead of them in February.

"It's great when you look at it and we have all these home games, but you have to win them," Richards said. "It's like games in hand, they're no good unless you win them."

The Stars open the February schedule on a roll. They've won a season-high four games and are 6-1-1 in their last eight games. They've built some good momentum and want to keep it rolling.

"We've put a little string together and we've put ourselves back into playoff position, which is all good, but we've got lots of work to do yet," said Tippett. "We've played very well and we have to continue that."

Injury update

Stars defenseman Darryl Sydor, who left Saturday's game in the third period after taking a puck off the foot, did not practice Monday morning. He was walking around with ice on his ankle at the Stars' practice facility in Frisco Monday and then was wearing a protective boot later, but Stars coach Dave Tippett said the defenseman was still probable for Tuesday's game against Calgary.

"I think he is still a probable for tomorrow. We just left him off the ice today as a precaution," Tippett said. "There's no use going out and making it swell up again.'

Forwards Mark Parrish and Fabian Brunnstrom have both been dealing with the flu, but both were on the ice for Monday's practice. Tippett said Brunnstrom would be available to play, but that Brunnstrom was doubtful because he still wasn't feeling well.

Tippett said forward Landon Wilson (ribs) went through a hard skate prior to Monday's practice. Wilson, who was injured January 3, is probably still a week away from being available.

"The next step for him is going to be contact and how much contact he can take," Tippett said. "We're not to that stage yet, but we're getting close."

Line combinations/defensive pairings

Here were the forward lines and defensive pairings used in Monday's practice.