Dallas – Stars coach Dave Tippett focuses on results, not rationalization. He wasn’t in the mood Saturday to analyze Marty Turco after his goaltender’s best playoff performance since 2003. Tippett went straight to the basics.
“At the end of the day, his job is to stop the puck,” Tippett said. “He let in one (Friday) night. There’s a difference between one and five. It’s just the reality.”
And that difference is?
“Four,” Tippett said, to laughter.
It may be more than that.
Turco ended a playoff stretch of seven losses in eight games.
For the first time, Turco held Colorado to less than three goals in the postseason.
Big numbers
Joe Sakic’s line earned raves for the first three games. But the Stars’ contingent of Jason Arnott, Bill Guerin and Brenden Morrow may have put together the most impressive effort of the series.
The three combined for one goal in Game 4 but 17 shots and six hits.
Arnott also won 70 percent of his faceoffs.
“I thought their urgency was very strong,” Tippett said. “They are three big, strong guys. When they have the intent of getting to the puck and using hard skill … they’re a very effective line.”
Powering down
For the first time in the series, the Stars solved the Avalanche’s power play.
Colorado entered Game 4 with five man-advantage goals while converting 26.3 percent of its chances. It went 0-for-6 with just five shots and missed several opportunities to take momentum. Key saves by Turco were one factor. So, too, were changes by the Stars after Game 1.
“Obviously, they’re terrific players and crafty with the puck,” defenseman Willie Mitchell said of the Avalanche. “We were a little more aggressive while still trying to protect the center of the ice.”
Time warp
Maybe it is time for another 3-0 NHL comeback.
Toronto in 1942 and the New York Islanders in 1975 were separated by 33 years. The Islanders and the Stars would be separated by 31 years, just slightly ahead of schedule.
