Can the Stars build on this?
by jamestobrien on Dec 29, 2008 11:40 AM PST
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Whatever way you slice it or spin it, the Stars are starting to play better hockey since the Avery implosion. Simpletons might attribute that to the team being de-Avery-ed, but the true key simply is that Marty Turco decided to finally play above a Washington Capitals webmaster level.
Obviously, though, even such promising signs of life must be seen through reality-colored glasses. The Stars are still the third worst team in the Western Conference points wise and they're about to face a murderous stretch as the world gets drunk and as the ivy paint goes up at Wrigley Field.
Tonight's one of the biggest games in that stretch as the Stars host the startlingly dominant San Jose Sharks. It's definitely a bigger game for Dallas, but the Sharks are about to enter a tough part of their schedule as well.
As indisputable as their tear through the league has been - hell, they've even kicked ass with Brian "don't call me Bobby" Boucher in net - one thing stands out to me: they've played 20 home games to 15 road games. Five of their next six games are on the road, so any skepticism about the Sharks being a Galactus-level world eating power will likely be erased.
(February, though, might be the truest test for the Sharkies: the month of chalky wordsmith candy and spousal pressure features a 5-game and 4-game roadtrip!)
If the Stars can win this game, they might just have the confidence to charge head-on to what will be a very tough stretch to end 2008 and being 2009. Realistically, though, they'll probably be lucky not to get blown out.
Prediction: Sharks win 5-3, Brad Richards gets ferklempt.
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Of course ...
The mood at the American Airlines Center might be like a funeral after that Cowboys game. Seriously, that was just a mind blowing beating.
On my fledgling little blog I asked if hockey fans recall the closest examples they can think to the Cowboys’ head-slapping jaw dropper, so I thought I’d extend the question to the BoC: any Kings/Ducks/Sharks games come to mind?
That Calgary-San Jose game where Kipper got pulled in a heartbeat looked like the 1st quarter of the Dallas-Philly game but then became a scorcher. Obviously, the Kings’ comeback against the Gretzky-era Oilers is sort of concentrated example.
But are there any other ones that come to mind? Doesn’t have to be BoC but obviously that will probably account for the majority…
It is weird how much the Stars’ record has turned around the Avery incident, especially since I don’t think he was really a huge contributor to the prior losing tendencies.
Still, it’s tough to argue with the different results. I guess the Stars’ stars are quite distractable by the Sloppy One.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
Avery/Cowboys
The Cowboys lost in one of the most lopsided games I’ve ever seen. To come out like that in a MUST WIN game (the winner took a playoff spot, the loser got kicked out) was mind numbing.
Here’s a quick rundown:
The game was relatively close when the Eagles pulled to 17-3 around the 2 minute warning. The Eagles managed another touchdown drive partially due to a boneheaded personal foul penalty, then the same bonehead fumbled a kickoff with 6 seconds left. Which lead to a 50-something yard field goal.
In a matter of minutes it went from a bad but reasonable 17-3 to a shocking 27-3. But even worse, the Cowboys had two lengthy drives that ended with fumbles returned for touchdowns. (One was for 73 yards and the other was for 96 yards!) By then it was 41-3 and the Cows’ season was over in the third quarter.
Now, I’m from New Jersey so I’m a Giants fan but even for a Cowboys hater the game was ugly and got uncomfortable. I’ve never seen a team lose so dramatically in a big game without even a hint of fight.
———
And as far as Avery’s concerned, I don’t think the Stars mini-resurgence is because of Avery. But I’m sure they’re glad he’s gone anyway.
The Sloppy One might be laughing to the bank, though, because he’s getting every bit of that ill-advised $15.5 million contract. It’ll be interesting to see if the Stars bail Brett Hull out with a playoff run. It’s going to be one hell of a grind if they do get back into the mix though.
by jamestobrien on Dec 29, 2008 1:03 PM PST up reply actions
Giants fans, unite!!
As a Giants fan myself, I’d never be able to find myself to feel pity for a division rival, especially the Stars. I’m not disappointed that they missed the playoffs, but at least put up a fight. 44-6 in the final game of your season, in your final season at your long-time home stadium, is absolutely embarassing.
I don’t know which is more disappointing though, the Cowboys or the Stars. The Cowboys haven’t won a playoff game in 11 years. The Stars at least made it to the Western Conference Finals last season, defeating the Ducks and Sharks, two division opponents, along the way.
Fuck you, Denis Gauthier
Heh, don’t get me wrong I didn’t shed a tear for the Cowboys. Just happened to be watching the game with (rare, I know) intelligent, rational Cowboys fan and all those Giants memories reminded me of the agony he must have been feeling. Still, that didn’t stop me from guffawing at every sideline shot of befuddled Wade Phillips. Sweet revenge for the Aikman-Irvin-Smith days.
The Cowboys are WAY more disappointing than the Stars. Really, the Cowboys should be getting the abuse the San Jose Sharks get. They receive the same amount of preseason fellatio as the Sharks, but at least the Sharks make it to the second round. The Cows can’t even win a playoff game.
For at least another year, there is justice in the world.
(Oh, and by the way, Big Blue View is an awesome Giants blog)
by jamestobrien on Dec 29, 2008 6:07 PM PST up reply actions
It reminds me of when the Kings clawed their way back into a playoff spot and then lost 10 of their last 11.
The West Coast is the Best Coast.
Which year did that happen Rudy? I want to guess during the Pavol Demitra era but what do I know…
by jamestobrien on Dec 29, 2008 1:04 PM PST up reply actions
It looks like it was ’03-04 and not quite as bad as I remember; they lost 7 of their last 8.
The West Coast is the Best Coast.
Yeah, it’s seriously pretty difficult to top that game. Especially since the Cowboys were picked to make the Super Bowl by many. Only in Madden :)
by jamestobrien on Dec 29, 2008 6:08 PM PST up reply actions
Alternate nickname for Vlasic?
Obviously, the pickle puns are going to get top billing (Vlasic, pickle, dill) but the spelling of his middle name (Edouard) makes me want to call him ’Douard.
Pronounced Dooo-waaaarrrrd.
Just throwin’ it out there.
Classic Vlasic
Vlasic the Elastic
Sick-ass Vlasic (sounds like a verbal palindrome if you say it right)
Jurassic (save it for when he’s older)
Well done.
He’s just a resoundingly nickname-able guy.
by jamestobrien on Dec 30, 2008 7:17 AM PST up reply actions
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Pacific Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
San Jose
|
51 | 29 | 16 | 6 | 64 |
|
Los Angeles
|
55 | 26 | 19 | 10 | 62 |
|
Phoenix
|
55 | 26 | 21 | 8 | 60 |
|
Dallas
|
53 | 28 | 23 | 2 | 58 |
|
Anaheim
|
53 | 21 | 24 | 8 | 50 |
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