Playoffs 2000:X-Factor: Dallas' tightening D-vice

X-Factor: Dallas' tightening D-vice
By Joe Lago
ESPN.com

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Forget about filing a missing persons report. No need to call Mulder and Scully to investigate this X-file.

The explanation for the sudden disappearance of the New Jersey Devils' top line of Patrik Elias, Jason Arnott and Petr Sykora from Game 2 of the Stanley Cup finals was simple:

The Dallas Stars defense showed up to play Thursday.


	For Modano's line, great defense translated into offense in the Game 2 win in New Jersey.

Two nights after humiliating the defending Cup champions with a combined 11 points in a series-opening 7-3 win, the Elias-Arnott-Sykora line came up empty in a 2-1 loss that was textbook Dallas hockey.

The trio produced eight of New Jersey's 28 shots but were frustrated by a rejuvenated -- and drug-free -- Ed Belfour, who rebounded from Tuesday's debacle to make 27 saves.

Dallas' No. 1 line -- namely Mike Modano and Brett Hull -- redeemed itself by containing the speedy Arnott line in the neutral zone and making sure puck control was as easy as maneuvering through traffic on the Jersey Turnpike.

"We were a little more responsible with that matchup," said Modano, who logged near-defenseman ice time of 20 minutes, 35 seconds. "It is something that we didn't have in Game 1."

Defenseman Derian Hatcher credited "overall awareness" to the air-tight defense. "We just had to pay a little more special attention. Last time we didn't," he said. "You talk about defense, but defense is the five guys on the ice."

"I think defensively, the guys played stronger on that line," Belfour said. "They played against them really tough and made their night difficult."

Belfour had a rough time trying to keep his head clear in the opener. A cold and ill-prescribed medication caused him to struggle with the puck in surrendering six goals on just 18 shots.

This time, New Jersey saw vintage Belfour, who turned away two chances during a Devils power play midway through the third period. Belfour improved his career record after a playoff loss to 9-0.

To see Belfour bounce back was no surprise to his teammates.

"He's done that since he's been here," checking center Guy Carbonneau said. "He's always been a competitor. He was the first one to admit that he had a bad game. We knew he was going to come back hard."

"That was definitely a lot more our style," Belfour said. "That's the kind of game we want to continue to play. We've had success playing that style the past three years."

And making several opposing top lines vanish into thin air.