Ribeiro, in a tussle They're power play hasn't been very good. Their penalty kill's been awful.
Special teams was the name of the game last night in a 4-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks.
The defending world champions have the best power play in the league converting on 24.8 of their extra-man opportunities.
It didn't help against the 23rd-ranked Stars penalty kill, which dispatched with all four Chicago power plays on the road.
It also helped that the Blackhawks have the 28th worst penalty kill because the Stars converted on all three of their power-play opportunities with goals from Brendan Morrow and two from Mike Ribeiro, who apparently just scores in bunches and stays quiet the rest of the time.
The Stars have built a semi-comfy five-point lead in the Pacific Division. On the other hand, they're just eight points from last in the division. No rest for the weary. But if the Stars are going to keep pace, their special teams are vital. The power play's improved over the course of the season as its the 12th best in the league converting on 18.6 percent of man advantages.
They're penalty kill is still awful, ranked 23rd in the league, and some nights its absolutely brutal.
