Win and you're in I don't know what it takes to win four straight hockey games. I don't know the injuries, the fatigue and the scrambled brains that suited up yesterday in Minnesota. I will not try to get into their brains.
However, I do know one thing: For once for the past two weeks, the Stars finally controlled their own destiny.
Outside of having already clinched a playoff spot, it was the ideal situation. Win and you are in. The Chicago Blackhawks were beat by Detroit earlier in the day setting up a situation that if the Dallas Stars beat the Wild yesterday evening, they would be the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference playoffs.
They lost, 5-3.
I stand by my claim of a few weeks ago that the Stars are gassed. They're not a very deep team.
Yes, they have quite a few talented guys, but in case of injury or fatigue, there are not many hotshot, NHL-ready prospects bubbling under in the minors.
Nothing against Adam Burish or Tom Waddell (they have their places), but you can't count on them for constant production if guys go down. I think all professional athletes play through injuries. Considering their situation, how many Dallas Stars played in spite of possible semi-major injuries or even to the detriment of their team?
Look at the blue line. The defense played solidly at times. However, they never got a dependable third pair that could eat up some minutes.
Still. In and you're in. That was for all the marbles and you fell short against an 86-point Wild team that you've handled all season. That was a playoff game for the Stars. It was not for the Wild. I love the Dallas Stars, but they did not deserve post-season action.
It's three straight years of playoff-less hockey in North Texas. Brad Richards is leaving. Ownership is still in flux. There will be no major, big-dollar names walking through the door.
It can only get darker before the dawn.
