Dallas Stars 6, Nashville Predators 0

by Mark Stepneski of Andrew's Stars Page

DALLAS — It was one of those nights where everything fell into place for the Dallas Stars. They scored on their first three shots, nothing got past Marty Turco the entire game, the power play scored twice, the penalty kill was perfect, and it all added up to a 6-0 rout of the Nashville Predators at the American Airlines Center Wednesday night.

"We really wanted to establish our presence here at home and I thought our guys were spot on early in the game," said Stars head coach Marc Crawford. "Our top two lines established their dominance in the game. It's not always going to be like that, but they executed real well, hung on to the puck and made good plays in the offensive zone."

The Stars' top two lines accounted for five goals and ten assists on the night. Brenden Morrow and Loui Eriksson had two goals each. Eriksson, who also had an assist, Brad Richards (one goal, two assists) and James Neal (three assists) all had three point nights and Mike Ribeiro and Jamie Benn had two assists each.

Turco made 29 saves, including a few spectacular ones, to earn his 37th career shutout.

"Marty was terrific tonight," said Crawford. "We could have come out of that first period up only 3-2 if their goalie makes one more save and Marty doesn't make the saves he made."

Among the highlights for the Stars:

* Scored three goals on their first three shots, chasing Nashville starter Dan Ellis from the game.

* Scored four goals on five shots in the first 6:48 of the game.

* The power play was 2-4.

* The penalty kill was 4-4.

Morrow scored 3:17 into the game, taking a backhand pass from Ribeiro and blasting a shot past Ellis from the left faceoff circle. Forty seconds later Eriksson set up Richards, who put the puck into the open side of the net. It was 2:34 later when Neal carried the puck around the offensive zone, went to the blue line, put a shot on net and Eriksson deflected it through the legs of Ellis, who was pulled from the game.

"It really tears the heart out of your confidence and takes a little bit of your energy when they score on the first three shots," said Predators coach Barry Trotz.

Turco came up with his most crucial save on the game two minutes after his team's third goal when he stopped Nashville forward Joel Ward's point blank shorthanded bid to keep it a 3-0 game.

The Stars scored on the power play 17 seconds later when Richards set up Morrow at the side of the net and the Stars captain made it a 4-0 game, putting Dallas in control.

Turco preserved his shutout with a sensational save on Dan Hamhuis in the third period and then followed it up with another great save on David Legwand.

"He made some great saves tonight," said Stars defenseman Stephane Robidas.

Nashville, which was coming off a 6-1 loss to Edmonton on Monday, has now lost three straight games. The Stars host the Boston Bruins Friday night.

Game recap

The Stars scored four goals on their first five shots to take command of the game early. Those four goals came in a 5:31 span and were all scored in the first 8:48 of the game.

Brenden Morrow got things started when he took a backhand pass from Mike Ribeiro and blasted a shot past Nashville goalie Dan Ellis from the left circle 3:17 into the game.

Just 40 seconds later Loui Eriksson set up Brad Richards, who put the puck into the open side of the net from close range to make it a 2-0 game.

The Stars made it 3-0 at the 6:31 mark when James Neal carried the puck in the offensive zone, went to the blue line, put a shot on net and Eriksson tipped it through Ellis' legs. That was it for Ellis, who gave up three goals on three shots.

The Stars scored on Pekka Rinne, who replaced Ellis, 2:17 after he came into the game when Richards set up Morrow at the side of the net on a Dallas power play and the Stars captain knocked the puck into the open side for his second goal of the game.

That goal came just moments after Stars goalie Marty Turco stopped Joel Ward's shorthanded chance from close range. Turco also had big first period stops on Colin Wilson and on David Legwand breaking in on goal.

The Stars made it a 5-0 game 1:27 when they scored on a five-on-three power play. Eriksson got to the rebound of a James Neal shot off the end boards and put it past Rinne for his second goal of the game.

Turco continued his sharp goaltending in the third period, making great stops on Dan Hamhuis and Legwand again.

The Stars rounded out the scoring when Toby Petersen tallied with 2:13 remaining in the game to make it a 6-0 final.