ST. LOUIS -- At 11:07 p.m. on Tuesday night, nine minutes after the Stars' season ended in a 2-1 double-overtime loss to St. Louis in Game 7 of the second round, general manager Jim Nill greeted coach Jim Montgomery in the hallway outside the visitors dressing room. He extended his right hand in a gesture both wholly deserved and completely unwanted.
The Stars' playoff run was over, and so was Montgomery's successful first season behind the Stars' bench.
The campaign was punctuated by a magnificent performance from goaltender Ben Bishop and a lackluster one from his teammates, especially in the second and third periods.