Multiple reasons for Dallas' poor play
This week's starting lineup, Dallas' poor play and an explanation of hard forechecking.
Why is Dallas playing so poorly?
Second, the Stars sorely miss former defenseman Derian Hatcher. Last season Hatcher gave this team a great physical presence and made positive things while he was on-ice. He had plus-37 rating and contributed 30 points. No player or group of players has picked up his production since he left during the offseason to sign with the Detroit Red Wings. It's difficult to lose a dominant defensive player like Hatcher and be the same team.
Third, this team is struggling offensively. Through 16 games, they are tied for 15th in the league with 37 goals. Mike Modano and Pierre Turgeon are struggling, so the Stars are having to rely on Bill Guerin for a goal-scoring threat.
Finally, this team seems to have lost its confidence. They looked horrible in losing all three games on their recent East Coast swing by a combined score of 11-2. Then, they returned home and promptly lost to the Red Wings (6-2). This is definitely not the same Stars team as last season.
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| Cloutier |
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| Hedberg |
Dan Cloutier and Johan Hedberg, Vancouver Canucks: These two guys have been excellent. Cloutier ranks second in the NHL in wins (7), fifth in GAA (1.92) and eighth in save percentage (.927). Meanwhile Hedberg is 3-0-1 with one shutout, a GAA of 1.97 and a save percentage that is hovering around 90 percent (.896). They are a large part of the reason why the Canucks lead the league with 22 points.
Defensemen
Adrian Aucoin, New York Islanders: Aucoin is playing very well for the Islanders. He's tied for seventh in the NHL with a plus-8 rating and he's contributed nine assists. He's doing a great job making the hustle plays his team needs and, despite having only one goal, he's shooting well.
Mattias Ohlund, Vancouver Canucks: No one knows about him because he's playing in Vancouver, but he's unbelievably good. He has very good size -- 6-foot-3, 220 pounds -- and he plays smart. He isn't caught in a bad position very often and has been an unexpected key to the Canucks' success.
Forwards
Markus Naslund, Vancouver Canucks: Last week he was out of this world; he scored eight points with seven assists and helped lead his team to 3-0-1 record. But he's not a one-week wonder and his numbers prove it. He's sixth in the NHL in points (18), tied for sixth in assists (11) and is first in plus/minus at plus-13. His plus/minus number is excellent and proves his leadership role on-ice has developed more. Last season, he was plus-6. His season high is plus-22 in 2001-02.
Bill Guerin, Dallas Stars: Guerin has only one goal in the past four games, but it's more a by-product of the Stars' poor play than a reflection on him. Despite his recent mini-slump, Guerin still is tied for third in goals (10) and 10th in points (15). Without Guerin, the Stars wouldn't have anyone scoring goals consistently for them.
Tony Amonte, Philadelphia Flyers: Amonte is riding a league-high nine-game points streak and has done a great job leading this team to the top of the Atlantic Division. He's scored three goals and three assists during their current four-game winning streak that has led them to the top of the Atlantic Division.
Plus: St. Louis Blues
This team underachieved last season. Their 41-24-11-6 record wasn't a reflection of their talent level. This season, despite the loss of Al MacInnis, the Blues are getting solid defense from each line and are getting great goaltending from Chris Osgood. He's second in the NHL with seven wins and has a .923 save percentage with a 2.11 GAA.
Minus: Jaromir Jagr
Jagr is the highest-paid player in the game and his game has absolutely plummeted this season. The Capitals are playing terrible hockey right now and Jagr is the reason. Through 15 games, he's only scored 10 points with a plus/minus rating of minus-3. He's been the biggest disappointment of the season.
Barry --
In your "Puckology" department, could you please explain exactly what is a hard forecheck?
-- Catherine, Littleton, Colo.
The forecheck is an offensive maneuver that's utilized to create turnovers and goal-scoring opportunities. For instance, when a puck is dumped into a corner, two offensive players will attack it. Instead of waiting to see where the puck is going, they'll attempt to create a goal-scoring chance. Typically, there are three players on a hard forecheck. While two players attack the puck, the third will stay high in the slot and wait to see where the puck ends up. If the puck goes around the boards, then the third player will attack it.
This used to be a prevalent maneuver in the NHL, but most teams now choose to trap in the neutral zone to create turnovers. Edmonton is one of the few teams that try to forecheck, but they are in the minority.
Hey, Barry:
Doug Weight gets a four-game suspension for cross-checking Henrik Sedin and Vancouver cries foul because no penalty was assessed. But Bryan Allen breaks Zetterberg's leg and only received a two-game suspension even though Zetterberg is out 4-6 weeks. Where's the equal justice?
-- Art, Spokane, Wash.
Art, it's funny that you mention this because it shows how far the NHL has come the past few years. There was a time when the suspension probably would've been the other way around with the superstar (Weight) getting a lighter suspension than Allen. Weight might have received a slap on the wrist if any punishment at all. What other sport would we be talking about the superstar player getting double the suspension of a no-name player?
I do agree that four games seemed to be too long for Weight, especially when his hit was compared to Allen's vicious shot. But I'd rather not criticize the NHL's decision because they have different looks than we do and also have the opportunity to look at the whole game to put the hit into a context. I trust the NHL's decision because of the number of considerations that are looked into when a player is suspended and their realization of the impact an unfair suspension would have on a team. Suspensions are not something the NHL takes lightly.
Hey, Barry:
I've been a fan of Mike Keenan's and I'm wondering if you think he'll coach again?
-- Judd, Spokane, Roseville, Minn.
Judd, I'm fairly certain that Mike Keenan will coach again in the NHL. But I think the circumstances of his hiring are going to be similar to the ones in Florida. If you remember, Keenan wasn't hired by the Panthers' GM, but by the owner. It's going to take an owner who's fed up with an underachieving team to take the chance on him because no GM is going to want to deal with his methods.
Barry Melrose, a former NHL defenseman and coach, is a hockey analyst for ESPN. He'll answer selected questions submitted to his e-mail bag each week. Also, click here to send Barry a question for possible use on ESPNEWS.
