Dallas Stars 2, New York Rangers 1

by Mark Stepneski of Andrew's Stars Page

Stars finally play their first real hockey of the season.

After some early season struggles Marty Turco looked like himself Monday night at Madison Square Garden, and that was key as the Dallas Stars beat the New York Rangers 2-1 for their first road win of the season.

Turco, who entered the game with a 4.70 goals against average and a .814 save percentage, made 28 saves, including a couple of key stops at key times.

"When you get in the doldrums you've got to earn your way out of it," said Turco. "It's only one game, personally. There's still a ways to go to get on top of it, but it's a step in the right direction. That's the most important thing in getting on track."

After giving up a power play goal to Markus Naslund on a rebound off the end boards 58 seconds into the game, Turco was flawless the rest of the way.

Although the Stars, who improved to 2-3-1 on the season, were better defensively they still gave up some good chances during the game and Turco was up to the challenge. He came up with two big saves that were key turning points in the game.

He made a big stop on a Nigel Dawes breakaway early in the second period to keep it a 1-0 game. With the game tied 1-1 in the third period he stopped Brandon Dubinsky, who slipped by Stars defenseman Matt Niskanen and was all alone in front of the net for a point blank shot.

"Turco was solid tonight," said Stars coach Dave Tippett. "That's what were looking for from him. He needed a game like that."

And so did the Stars, who had given up 15 goals in the last three games and hadn't allowed fewer than three in any game this season.

"When you're giving up five a game, there's obviously an onus put on defense right now," Tippett said. "It certainly shows we have the capability."

After falling behind 1-0 early and being held in the game by Turco, the Stars drew even by scoring on their first power play chance of the game when Brenden Morrow, after falling to the ice, swatted a Fabian Brunnstrom backhand pass into the net to tie the game at 5:28 of the second period.

"None of them are pretty but that was probably one of the ugliest I've ever scored," Morrow said.

Mike Modano provided the winning margin when he got to a rebound off Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist and scored from the left faceoff circle at 8:03 of the third period.

"Just kind of a lucky bounce," said Modano. "Kind of hanging in the right area at the right time and the pass from the corner went off Lundqvist right to me. Right place at the right time."

The Rangers, who fell to 6-2-1 on the season, lost for the third time in their last four games after starting the season with five straight wins. The focus in New York leading up to the game was the return of Stars forward Sean Avery, an ex-Ranger.

"He came here on a business trip basically and he played hockey," Rangers coach Tom Renney said. "Their team won the hockey game and that translates to a successful combination."

Overall, it was a successful night in more ways than one for the Stars. They got the victory and the two points, but they also stopped the bleeding as far as the goals against issues.

"It's kind of an understatement to say it was much needed," said Turco. "We've got to continue to build on it."

• Staff
• Verified User
• Anonymous