NHL Notebook: Star Of Stars - NHL Hockey News And Picks

NHL Notebook: Star Of Stars
By Rich Carlson
Posted: 5:00 am PDT 2006-10-17

One of the oldest adages in professional hockey is this: when you find a hot goalie, you ride him as far as you can. The Dallas Stars are doing just that this season with G Marty Turco.

The Stars have started out the 2006 campaign 5-0-0, mainly due to the phenomenal play of Turco, who ranks first in the league in wins (5), second in goals allowed per game (1.57) and second in save percentage (.948). The strong start by Turco combined with the league's 10th best scoring average (3.40 goals per game) have vaulted the Stars to the top of the Pacific Division. LW Brendan Morrow is among the league leaders in goals scored (four in five games), while newly signed C Eric Lindros is tied for the team lead in assists with four. Winger Matthew Barnaby was signed in the offseason to add some toughness and grit on the Stars' blueline and is doing just that, leading the team with 30 penalty minutes.

If Turco is able to stay hot, and if the Stars can maintain their top 10 offensive attack, they should be considered one of the favorites to win the Western Conference and challenge for the Stanley Cup.

Burnin' Down The House
Chicago desperately needed to add some punch to its offense in the offseason, so the Blackhawks traded for LW Martin Havlat. Havlat has been brilliant so far, leading the NHL in points (10), goals (six) and +/- ratio (+7)...The New York Rangers have three of the top five point scorers in the league in Jaromir Jagr (10 points), Michael Nylander (9 points), and Brendan Shanahan (8 points)...Toronto LW Darcy Tucker has scored five goals this season, including four on the power play.

Cold As Ice
With three of the top five point scorers in the league and an offense that ranks 3rd in the NHL (4.00 goals per game), one would think the New York Rangers would have a better record than 2-3-0. Unfortunately for Rangers fans, the team ranks 29th in the league in goals allowed per game (4.60). G Henrik Lundqvist has a mediocre 3.95 GAA, while backup G Kevin Weeks allowed 7 goals in his only start this season...Florida Panthers goalie Ed Belfour has an 0-2 record with a 5.55 GAA and .822 save percentage...Carolina D Tim Gleason, Philadelphia C Petr Nedved and Phoenix D Dennis Seidenberg are at the bottom of the league in plus/minus ratings at minus-6.

Significant trades
None to report

Injury Report
Penguins C Evgeni Malkin has started to practice again and could be back on the ice this week. Malkin is an offensive phenom who should make an immediate impact on Pittsburgh's second line...Islanders G Rick DiPietro is listed as day-to-day with a mild groin strain. A groin injury is never good news for a goalie, so NHL betting fans should keep this in mind when wagering on the Islanders...Carolina D Bret Hedican and Glen Wesley are both listed as day-to-day with upper-body injuries. Carolina currently ranks 25th in the league in goals allowed per game, and losing two of its top defensemen will not help.

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