Dallas Stars

For the fourth year in a row, there will be no playoffs in Big D. This was a huge year for the Stars to capitalize on the momentum of new ownership and increasing attendance due to lower ticket prices and a better product on the ice that included the emergence of a few big time players. Unfortunately, their opponents and their own demons killed them in the end.

A few problems contributed to the Stars' flat 3-7-0 stretch run which included a five game losing streak. The worst part is that those problems fell in the same time of year that killed the Stars the year prior against Minnesota. Here I thought the team was ready to overcome the obstacl...

For the second year in a row, the Dallas Stars simply weren't good enough in the most critical games in the season. Last season, the Stars fell in a must-win game to the lost cause Minnesota Wild in the last game of the season for the rights to the playoffs in the 8th seed. This season, the Stars dropped a beyond critical home-and-home with the San Jose Sharks.

The Stars now stand 3 points behind the Sharks for the 8th seed with two games to go. It would take a complete collapse by them against the Los Angeles Kings, and the Stars defeating Western powerhouses Nashville (away) and St. Louis (home) to be invited to the postseason dance.

T...

It may be difficult for some fans to acknowledge but Detroit is faltering in the late stages of the season and are looking less and less like a true playoff contender. Detroit is 2-6-2 in its last 10 games and has not regained its form since the return of Lidstrom, Datsyuk, Franzen and Howard.

The Nashville Predators beat Detroit easily 4-1 Friday night thanks to the strong play of Pekka Rinne and production from their recent additions. The Red Wings quickly lost their outside chance to catch the St. Louis Blues and take the Central Division title for themselves and are now one point behind Nashville and tied with Chicago, however the Wings do have a game in hand. Detroit is 2-3 aga...

Pride is about the only thing on the line for the Flames at this point as they wrap up their home-and-home against the Stars tonight at the Scotia bank Saddledome. This will be the fourth and final meeting between the squads with the Stars looking for a season sweep of the Flames after defeating them 4-1 on Saturday afternoon in Dallas. The loss all but squashed the Flames playoff hopes as they now sit three points back of the three-way tie for 8th spot between the Kings, Sharks and Avalanche.