Stars News & Notes: Looking for more than a one-game surge

After getting called out publicly last week following last week's loss in Detroit, the Stars' top players and the team as a whole responded well, especially Monday's 5-4 win over the Red Wings. But as the second half of the season kicks off Thursday night against Buffalo, the Stars know they'll need more as they continue to push for a playoff spot.

"We're not looking for a one-game surge, we're looking for a surge in the second half," Stars coach Dave Tippett said. "Since we came out of the Christmas break I feel like we've played some pretty good games. The Edmonton (4-1 loss) and Detroit (6-1 loss) games were pretty disappointing. The message I am trying to get across is we don't have any room for error. We've dug ourselves a hole, but I still think we can get out of that hole. We can't have games like that."

Tippett delivered a message last week after the 6-1 loss in Detroit when he called out some of his top players, including centers Brad Richards and Mike Ribeiro. In Monday's win over Detroit at the American Airlines Center both those players responded, making key plays. Richards and Ribeiro assisted on Steve Ott's game-tying goal late in regulation and then Richards played a key role in Trevor Daley's game-winner in overtime.

"They made a difference in the outcome of the game. It's as simple as that," said Tippett. "They had an impact on the game that allowed us to win."

Richards and Ribeiro both downplayed getting called out Wednesday, saying it goes with the territory.

"It's part of the game and it's how you react after that - the next game and the games after that," said Ribeiro. "You take it, try to turn it into a positive and try come out better after that."

Richards said all you need to after a game like last week's loss to Detroit is to look in the mirror.

"We lost 6-1. I don't think you need to be called out, but he has his ways," said Richards. "Pride alone after a loss like that makes you want to get out and be better and make up for it. The whole team responded to that loss. It could have gone either way in Phoenix. We played a good defensive game but didn't score, and then we battled real hard against Detroit and got two points.

"We're not in first place and we're not in a playoff spot, so there's obviously more we can do. That's the life were in. We just keep pushing forward. It's not a big deal."

But as the Stars open the second half of the season Thursday when they host the Buffalo Sabres, Tippett said those top players will continue to be key to the team's success.

"The players that have the most influence on the game are the ones that have to lead the pack," Tippett said.

In that group is goalie Marty Turco.

"Our goaltending needs to be better in the second half if we are going to be a playoff team," Tippett said. "He knows he needs to be better and we're doing things to make sure his game gets up and going. That being said, our team playing in front of him has to continue to play well. We have to limit chances and give ourselves chances to win. If he does his part we'll become a better team."

Tippett said the Stars are still in desperation mode as far as the standings, and that's why he called out the players last week. The message delivered then has to continue to resonate now because not a lot has changed. The Stars are still in a fight to just make the playoffs.

"We haven't been as good as we want to be," said Tippett. "If we're ten games over .500 and somebody has an off night it gets address internally. We're in a desperate situation right now. Every point is a desperate point. No matter who you are playing you've got to do what ever you can to find a way to win. That was my point. Everybody has to recognize that."

Injury update: Brunnstrom skating

Forward Fabian Brunnstrom, who has missed the last seven games due to a high ankle sprain, is making some progress.

"Skated the last two days and is probably a day or two away from skating with the team," Stars coach Dave Tippett said after Wednesday's practice.

There's a chance Brunnstrom will travel with the team on its upcoming road trip next week, but Tippett said the team will not rush Brunnstrom back into action.

"Those are easily re-injured," said Tippett. "He's a young buck that's hungry to play - and I don't know if he's had one of those before - but I've seen a lot those come back too early and end up lingering a long time. I would be surprised if he played before the break."

Practice lines

Here were the forward lines used in Wednesday's practice. They are the same lines used in Monday's win over Detroit.

Forward Chris Conner dressed as a defenseman so the Stars could have eight defensemen for some of the practice drills.

Left Wing	Center	Right Wing
Lundqvist	Richards	Eriksson
Ott	Ribeiro	Lehtinen
Neal	Modano	Petersen
Barch	Sutherby	Parrish

Quotable

"You always look to your high-end guys to carry the load, especially when you are up and down a lot. You look to them in the playoffs and towards the end of the year to take control. Just like any other team or any other sport, your main guys are buying in and playing at a high level and that drags the rest of the guys along with them."

Stars center Mike Modano