The Dallas Stars have forced a seventh game against the Vancouver Canucks with a 2-0 win in Game 6 Saturday night at American Airlines Center.
Centre Mike Modano broke out of his scoring slump with the game-winning goal and goaltender Marty Turco earned his third shutout of the Western Conference quarter-final series.
Stars centre Mike Modano (9) attempts to make a play against Willie Mitchell (8) during Game 6 Saturday night in Dallas.
(Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
"It seems to be the going trend that whoever scores first has a good chance to win the game," Modano told Hockey Night In Canada. "We forced them into playing a style [coming from behind] they are not used to."
The Canucks will try to avoid another 3-1 series collapse in front of a nervous home crowd when the teams travel back to Vancouver for Game 7 at General Motors Place on Monday night (CBC, 9 p.m. ET).
In 2003, the Minnesota Wild rallied to defeat Vancouver in seven games during the second round.
"As far as I'm concerned there was just one team on the ice tonight and it was the Dallas Stars," said disappointed Vancouver coach Alain Vigneault. "If it wasn't for [Vancouver goalie] Roberto [Luongo], this game would've been 7-0."
Turco had another solid effort between the pipes for the Stars, making 21 saves to blank the Canucks for the second straight game.
Turco shines
The Dallas veteran has been stellar throughout the best-of-seven series, posting a 1.38 goals-against average and a .949 save percentage prior to Saturday's game.
Yet Turco, who has been maligned for past playoff failures, isn't concerned with what his critics think.
"You only try to prove something to your teammates and yourself," he said. "You play to your capabilities and you do everything that you talk about in order to be a good team."
Despite the loss, Luongo kept the game close, stopping 28 Dallas shots.
Unlike the past three contests, the first goal on Saturday came in the opening period on Modano's first goal of the series.
With the Stars on a 5-on-3 man advantage, Modano blasted a low shot from the point that beat a screened Luongo at 3:05. The goal was only Modano's second goal in his last 14 playoff games.
Turnover dooms Vancouver
The Stars put the finishing touches on the Canucks at 7:22 of the third period after a turnover by Vancouver defenceman Mattias Ohlund.
Centre Jeff Halpern rifled a slap shot over Luongo's left shoulder, giving the Stars some insurance for the stretch drive.
Vancouver hasn't scored a goal since Taylor Pyatt's overtime game-winner back in Game 4.
Vigneault is especially miffed with the play of veterans Markus Naslund, Trevor Linden and Daniel and Henrik Sedin, who have a combined one point since Game 4.
"The players that have played for the Vancouver Canucks the longest are not bringing their A-game to the table," he said. "That's why we lost."
The Canucks continued to struggle with their inept power play, going 0-3 on the night and now scoreless in their last 23 opportunities.
"Obviously, if we bring this kind of game and effort on to the ice [then] I don't like our chances [for Game 7]." Vigneault concluded. "As much as I think Roberto is a great goaltender you need a lot more that."
Losing streak snapped
The Stars also ended a six-game playoff losing streak — one short of the NHL playoff record.
Prior to Saturday, Dallas last won a home post-season game with a 4-3 win over the Colorado Avalanche in 2004.
For his part, Turco expects another close-checking affair when the teams clash on Monday night.
"We're in a one-game series and there's nothing to prove but win a hockey game." Turco said. "Were ready, but we know it's going to be the toughest one yet."
However, the news was not all good for the Stars: They lost defenceman Sergei Zubov to a torso injury in the second period. His status for Game 7 remains unclear.
Captain Brenden Morrow was also injured after being slashed in the left leg during the third period by Vancouver's Alexandre Burrows. While Morrow failed to return to the game, he is expected to play Monday night.
"It will be a tough if we don't have [Zubov]," Modano warned.
