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Turco, Stars looking to build off momentum vs. Predators

Dec 13, 2008 - 11:46 AM Dallas (11-13-4) at Nashville (14-12-3), 8:00 pm EST

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (Ticker) -- Marty Turco and the Dallas Stars are hoping their last performance was a sign of things to come.

Turco will attempt to build off his best performance as the inconsistent Stars visit the slumping Nashville Predators on Saturday.

The 33-year-old Turco made 37 saves in his 17th consecutive start as Dallas clipped the Detroit Red Wings, 3-1, on Friday in a matchup of last season's Western Conference finalists.

Trudging through a trying season, Turco entered with a 3.41 goals-against average - a far cry from his 2.31 mark in 2007-08. The seven-year veteran shined against Detroit, especially over the final 40 minutes, when he turned aside all 29 shots he faced.

"I felt great," Turco said. "A team that shoots the puck as often as they do, you've got to be on your toes at all times. It can make it a little bit easier out there, but all things considered, to say we got this one certainly does feel good."

Even with the win, Dallas - which was picked by many to contend for the Stanley Cup this campaign - still is stuck in last place in the West with 26 points.

The Predators are hoping to snap a three-game losing streak. They have not lost four straight contests since dropping five in row from December 10-19, 2007.

Nashville, which has started Dan Ellis over Pekka Rinne in the crease during the last two contests, were handed a 2-1 shootout loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday.