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Barnes, Turco push Ducks to the brink

Apr 18, 2008 - 5:55 AM DALLAS (Ticker) -- No team has repeated as Stanley Cup champion since 1998. The Dallas Stars are one win away from keeping the streak alive.

Stu Barnes had a goal and an assist and Marty Turco made 28 saves as the fifth-seeded Stars pushed the defending Stanley Cup champion Anaheim Ducks to the brink of elimination Thursday with a 3-1 victory in Game Four of their Western Conference quarterfinal series.

Joel Lundqvist and Steve Ott also scored for the Stars, who took a three-games-to-one lead in the series.

"We didn't want to go back 2-2," Dallas' Mike Modano said. "It's good for our psyche to come in and give a good effort in this building."

However, the Stars know winning the fourth game is no easy task.

"Regardless of what the series is, that's a very good hockey team," Barnes said of the Ducks. "Every game, you have to be that much better."

"There's a ton of recognition in that room," Dallas coach Dave Tippett added. "Everybody knows how hard it will be."

Turco stopped seven shots in the first period, 10 in the second and 11 in the third. He came within eight seconds of his second shutout this postseason and the fifth of his playoff career before Ducks defenseman Mathieu Schneider spoiled the bid.

"I just know it's going to be a big night every night," Turco said. "I expect to play well and feel well. It doesn't always go your way, but I just like my chances."

"He battled hard and found a way to stop the puck," Tippett said. "He recognizes that's his role, and he did well tonight."

Over the first four games of the series, Turco owns a 1.76 goals-against average and a .920 save percentage.

Jean-Sebastien Giguere made 17 saves for Anaheim, which looks to extend the series when it hosts Game Five on Friday.

"It's a challenge, but the reality is, we have to win the next game," Giguere said. "We can't think what it takes to win the series. We have to think what it takes to win the next game. ... We're shocked. Not because we're the defending Stanley Cup champions, but because we feel we have a good hockey team. It's disappointing now, the situation we're in."

"I think you have to evaluate the way we played," Ducks coach Randy Carlyle said. "Unfortunately, we made some mistakes that made it into the back of our net. Our complete level was very high and it was a hockey game that men had to play."

Not since the Detroit Red Wings won their second straight championship a decade ago has a team repeated in the NHL. While many believed Anaheim had a chance to end the drought this postseason, Dallas is on the verge of ending the Ducks' hopes.

After defenseman Trevor Daley's goal at 8:15 of the first period was wiped out by a goaltender interference penalty on teammate Niklas Hagman, the Stars managed to break through later in the session.

From the inner edge of the right faceoff circle, Lundqvist fired a wrist shot that found its way between the pads of Giguere with 3:21 remaining in the first.

"It's unfortunate because we had a good 10-15 minutes to start the game," Ducks defenseman Sean O'Donnell said. "The first goal put us on our heels."

Anaheim believed it evened the contest eight minutes into the middle period. But following a video review, replay officials ruled Brian Sutherby kicked the puck past Turco after receiving a pass from the left side of the net from Todd Bertuzzi.

"I watched the replay and I didn't see it happen," Carlyle said. "There was no intent."

Barnes took over in the third period as the Stars pulled away.

Modano completed a long pass to Barnes, who broke in alone on Giguere and wristed the puck between the netminder's pads at 9:01 for his 29th career playoff goal and a 2-0 lead.

"Just a good play by Mike Modano," Barnes said. "I kind of snuck behind everybody and he found me. Great play by him and Nordy (defenseman Mattias Norstrom). Credit those guys."

It also proved to be Barnes' 10th career game-winner in the postseason.

With less than three minutes remaining, the 37-year-old stole the puck in the neutral zone and carried down the right wing before dishing to Ott, who tallied from the doorstep at 17:17 for a three-goal bulge.

"They are outplaying us," Giguere said. "When they have a chance, they find a way to bury it."

Schneider helped Anaheim avoid being blanked for the second time this series when he scored from the slot in the final seconds.

"We need to put more traffic in front of Marty," Giguere said. "He's a great goalie, and if you don't have traffic, you won't score."