As surprising as it may sound, the Dallas Stars are last in the league.  And as strange as it may be, they belong there.  I was expecting another tightly contested game, similar to the one we saw at the Tank only three weeks ago, but the Stars have fallen (bah BOOM).  Missing their captain and main spark, Brendan Morrow, the Stars looked like they had some pride when Loui Eriksson tied the game at one, but then quickly coughed up two more goals in the first.  So much for that.

I still think Turco looks off.  Maybe he can’t trust his D as much, so he’s doing things he normally wouldn’t do.  And maybe his D thinks they can’t trust him, so they don’t do things they normally do.  Either way, it’s adds up to a horrible team defense, and when you pit that against one of the best offenses in the league (and the hottest power play) it gets ugly.

I know I wrote not long ago that I almost feel bad for the Sharks opponent, but the Stars don’t fall into that category.  I want them to lose.  Big.  Every time.  And when the Sharks took a comfortable three-goal lead early in the second, I thought they might lay back a bit and save some energy for tonight against the Yotes, one of only three teams that have beaten the Sharks in regulation this year.

But I guess the Sharks aren’t into giving Dallas any favors.  And when you keep giving the Sharks power play opportunities, you’re asking for trouble.

It seems like a good opportunity for Phoenix to surprise San Jose again, at home, rested, against a team that played last night.  But now we see they are without Olli Jokinen.  And how can you pick against the Sharks the way they are killing it right now?