The Dallas Stars knew the Minnesota Wild were coming for them last night. They knew it, prepared for it, and prevailed.
Mike Heika writes that the team's composure is helping to ensure its talent has a chance to shine:
"I think we are playing our smartest hockey away from the puck," Stars coach Lindy Ruff said. "We've realized down the stretch here that it's important to play both ways, it's important to win games 2-1. We've come a long way as a group in playing the game the right way."
The oddball goal by Antoine Roussel that broke another scoreless second-period tie was indeed a gift, but it's how the Stars handled it that made their night:
Dallas got the benefit of the call, but it also handled the fortune with poise.