Posted on Thu, May. 08, 2008

STARS NOTES: Stars hope to continue road success

By TRACEY MYERS

Star-Telegram Staff Writer

FRISCO -- There's something about the road and the Dallas Stars. In these playoffs, they've found plenty of success together. Not that the Stars could help their starting location -- their No. 5 seed just about guaranteed they wouldn't begin any postseason series at home.

But, oh, have they made the most of their time away from American Airlines Center.

The Stars were strong on the road in the first two rounds, taking 2-0 leads series in Anaheim and San Jose. Now they're looking to bring that road magic to Detroit, where they could certainly use some better outings.

So what's been the secret away from home? Players talk about playing a simple game in those not-so-friendly buildings, forcing the home team to hold its advantage. But it's also been the Stars taking what they're given.

When Anaheim gave them a ton of power plays, the Stars turned them into goals and, eventually, victories. In San Jose, a place the Stars have always found triumph-friendly, they took advantage of some Sharks mistakes.

And, of course, that scintillating playoff buzz doesn't hurt, either.

"The atmosphere in the playoffs -- both teams feed off it and you get energized by it," Stars captain Brenden Morrow said. "If you're getting booed or heckled, you can feed off that, too. You relish quieting the fans down a little bit."

The test will be tougher in Detroit, where the Stars haven't found much success in recent seasons. Still, they're liking their on-the-road game right now. They just need a little more of it.

"The [Red Wings] play great at home, and we have to come in there and disrupt the great chemistry they have," center Steve Ott said. "We have to go in there and outwork them. Every small battle throughout the game, we have to win them all."

Briefly

Stu Barnes (concussion-like symptoms) skated Wednesday morning. He hopes to play at some point in the series. Philippe Boucher also skated prior to the team practice, but his status has not changed.

FSN Southwest will rebroadcast the Stars' Game 6 victory over the San Jose Sharks at 11 a.m. today. The replay will be part of the station's Lunch Time series and will feature a condensed replay of Sunday night's four-overtime game.

STARS AT RED WINGS

Western Conference Finals, 6:30 tonight, Joe Louis Arena, Detroit

TV: VersusRadio: WBAP/820 AM

Notable: Detroit is averaging an NHL-leading 3.8 goals per playoff game. Four Stars have at least 10 points in the playoffs -- Mike Modano, Mike Ribeiro, Brenden Morrow and Brad Richards.