Stars Make Playoff Push As NHL Trade Deadline Approaches
DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - The Dallas Stars are trying to make that almighty playoff push as they approach the NHL's trade deadline Monday at 2pm CT.
The Stars are on a four game win streak which is their first win streak since December. The win streak comes with timely goal scoring. Michael Ryder, who leads the team in goals with 25, has scored four times in the last six games. Does it come at a bad time though?
The Stars seemingly have gone from sellers to buyers. Only GM Joe Nieuwendyk has the answer to that riddle. The Stars went from having an opportunity to unload big contracts along with older players that will not be here for the future to attempting a run at Lord Stanley.
Dallas is 7-5-2 in the month of February and better hockey is something they have been working hard for and this pesky team of hard workers has the magic for the moment.
"We have to keep building on the last couple games," said Stars winger Loui Ericksson, "You just have to keep going."
Dallas has been floating around .500 for a better part of 3 months and it is obviously not something they've been happy with.
So in an attempt to shake things up and make space for young guns like defenseman Philip Larsen, Dallas moved defenseman Nicolas Grossman on February 16 to Philadelphia for a 2nd round pick in 2012 and another 2nd round pick in 2013.
Any further attempt to get younger has been stalled by this 4 game win streak that has them back in the top 8 in the Western Conference. A spot in the playoffs is all this team needs and belief is what this team has in itself.
"For the guys it is about belief," said Stars head coach Glen Gulutzan, "We are doing things the right way and we've stuck with it."
But if you're a fan, do you really want to see your team "just get in?" If the answer is no, then you possibly have missed out on an opportunity to trade players that have real value for real contending teams this year. The older players such as Brenden Morrow (32), Steve Ott (28) and Stephane Robidas (34) were popular choices. However, this team isn't going away and they are showing that on the ice beating the defending Western Conference champions 3-2 Sunday.
"Guys are doing the right thing and everyone is pushing right now and playing well," praised Stars center Mike Ribeiro.
Jamie Benn, Loui Ericksson and Alex Goligoski are the future of this team and are considered untouchable. That much is certain. If the Stars choose, they have other pieces on the ice that will not be here in the future but belief isn't willing to be moved.
(Copyright 2012 by CBSDFW.com / CBS Local. All Rights Reserved.)
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