Avs optimistic entering Game 5
Associated Press
DALLAS -- Four games into the Western Conference finals, and
there's still not much separating the Dallas Stars and Colorado
Avalanche.
Each goalie has had games to remember and games to forget. Each
team has won as often at home as on the road. Both have slumping
centers.
|  | | Few could have anticipated Patrick Roy's poor play in Game 4. |
Overall, the Avalanche have outplayed the Stars, but they have
little to show for it. The best-of-seven series is tied at two
games apiece going into Game 5 tonight.
The Stars blew home ice advantage by losing the opener, but they
regained it by winning Game 4 Sunday in Denver. It was the first
home loss this postseason for Colorado.
That wasn't the only deflating part of the loss. The Avalanche
missed a chance to go up 3-1 and outshot the Stars 39-15.
"I still like our position," coach Bob Hartley said. "We have
to bear down on our chances, be a little bit more creative
offensively, and I think just take care of business."
The Stars, who rebounded from shutouts in Games 1 and 3, know
they can't their trend of playing well only after a poor outing.
"If we can just play like we did in Game 2, then we'll give
ourselves a chance to win and not have to rely on our
goaltending," Dallas coach Ken Hitchcock said. "We've got to play
better than we ever have if we're going to beat this team."
A gritty, tight series is exactly what was expected after the
teams went seven games in last year's conference finals. Another
seven-game series seems likely the way things keep balancing out.
Injuries kept Avalanche defensemen Ray Bourque out of the first
two games, then Adam Foote out of the third. That top tandem was
reunited Sunday, but Colorado gave up more goals in three periods
than in the previous three games.
Dallas went to Denver so sure rookie Brenden Morrow wouldn't
play that his equipment was left at home. But he said his broken
right ankle felt better and he ended up playing Sunday.
Each team has a high-scoring center just waiting to break out.
Dallas' Mike Modano didn't take a shot in Denver, and Colorado's
Joe Sakic has one goal in the last 11 games and two in 14.
The Avalanche's power play has been held to three goals in 24
chances, although the Stars' penalty killing unit _ the best in the
league this season -- deserves some credit. Dallas also has three
power-play goals, but on nine fewer chances.
The two shutouts by Colorado's Patrick Roy is impressive, but
the 79 stops in the last two games by Dallas' Ed Belfour is pretty
inspiring, too.
"It really settles us down, gives us great confidence knowing
he's making those great saves," Modano said. "He seems to get
stronger as games go on. Even in the games we've lost, he's still
given us a chance right up 'til the end to get back into the
game."
Roy's rocky Game 4 has drawn more grief than the glory of the
two shutouts. Both sides expect him to be refocused tonight.
"Patrick is a fighter," Hartley said. "Just like when you
take a good punch on the nose in Grade 6, you want to go back at
those guys." |
