[November 21, 2009] Quarterly report: Dallas Stars have shown skill, talent - and inconsistency Tweet Nov 21, 2009 (The Dallas Morning News - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Twenty-one games is just a glimpse of what the Dallas Stars are and where they want to go, Joe Nieuwendyk said. "I see more positive than I do negative," said the first-year general manager. "I think we have skill and talent, I think we have the ability to play the game with pace, and I think we're a better team than many people probably give us credit for. "But I also know that we can be a lot more consistent, and that's something that will be a part of our discussions every day." Off to a 9-6-6 start, the Stars have won consecutive games just once. With a stretch of home games coming up, they say they have to string together more wins. "You can't make any excuses," said defenseman Stephane Robidas. "Good teams find a way to win, and I believe we are a good team. We simply have to find a way to win games, and I believe that way is by playing our team game, staying focused and outworking the other team. If we do that, we have the talent to win." 3-2 (SO) in San Jose, Nov. 12: Against a full-strength Sharks lineup, Dallas played desperate hockey, got big saves from Marty Turco and rallied from a 2-0 deficit. Calling on Stephane Robidas for the shootout winner was among several good moves by coach Marc Crawford that night. 3-1 in Detroit, Nov. 18: The Stars walked into a hostile arena where Detroit had been dominant and played a smart, efficient game. The team played masterfully around backup goalie Alex Auld. 5-2 in Calgary, Oct. 9: One of the best defensive teams in the NHL, Calgary couldn't stop the Stars in the season's third game. Dallas outshot Calgary, 30-23, and was the better team. 4-1 vs. Los Angeles, Oct. 19: Against the flu-ridden, travel-weary Kings, the Stars were lackluster, showing their inconsistency and their failure to make American Airlines Center a tough place for visitors. 3-2 in Phoenix, Nov. 14: After winning a shootout in San Jose, and facing a Phoenix defense missing three key players, the Stars were flat and failed on two late power plays with a chance to tie the score. 4-1 vs. Columbus, Nov. 19: The Stars couldn't adjust to a physical game and were beaten badly at home. James Neal took a boarding major penalty and was suspended for two games. Breakdown: 12 home, eight away Nov. 30 in Detroit: The second and final meeting of the season at Joe Louis Arena. Wings fans will be upset about the no-goal call Wednesday on Brad May. Dec. 12 in Los Angeles: The second night of back-to-back games will come in a place where the Stars have struggled recently. These teams could battle for second place in the Pacific Division. Dec. 29 vs. Chicago: The young Blackhawks shredded the Stars last season, so it will be interesting to see if Marc Crawford's system can compete with a team that is seemingly built for the "new" NHL. James Neal: Despite the two-game suspension, Neal clearly is a smarter and more experienced player in his second NHL season. His 11 goals have come in a variety of manners, and he has had some surprisingly pretty assists. Brad Richards: The veteran center seems older than 29, but he is a perfect mix of young legs and 639 games of NHL experience. He has taken in Neal as a roommate and deserves credit for his progress. Stephane Robidas: He's so quiet and yet so good. As the team's No. 1 defenseman, he's averaging 23:34 in ice time, has three goals and seven assists, and leads the team in hits with 73. Robidas plays in all crucial situations. Mike Modano: Marc Crawford uses Modano in key situations and on the first power play, and he's giving Modano second-line minutes. Modano missed 13 games with a rib injury but appears ready to make a big push to make the Olympics for Team USA. Matt Niskanen: He'll turn 23 on Dec. 6, and he's pushing 180 NHL games, so it's time he takes a bigger role. With Niskanen getting 19:54 of ice time a game and plenty of power play time, the Stars would like to see his scoring (one goal, six assists) go up. Mike Ribeiro: He hasn't been bad, but he hasn't been dynamic, either. If the Stars can get Ribeiro and Modano going, and keep Richards on top of his game, it will present a tremendous challenge for every opponent. The Stars' goalie plan aims to keep Marty Turco rested and playing well. In the first 21 games, Turco has played 14 games -- never more than three in a row -- and Alex Auld seven. Turco's numbers say the plan is working. To see more of The Dallas Morning News, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.dallasnews.com. Copyright (c) 2009, The Dallas Morning News Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]