Dallas

Coming off a grueling comeback victory over the Chicago Blackhawks Friday night, the Dallas Stars faced off against the red-hot Columbus Blue Jackets in a Sunday matinee, which also was Stars' head coach Marc Crawford's 50th birthday.

Unfortunately for Crawford, Columbus captain Rick Nash would not allow a Stars' victory to complete his birthday as the Blue Jackets defeated the Stars, 2-1.

After dropping four straight contests, the Dallas Stars were able to overcome an early hole to defeat the Chicago Blackhawks 4-3 in the shootout.

Chicago's Patrick Kane, Brent Seabrook and Patrick Sharp each scored in the first 13 minutes of the first period to give the Blackhawks a 3-0 lead that they kept for the rest of the period.

Coming off a third poor effort against the Vancouver Canucks, the Pacific Division-leading Dallas Stars traveled to Boston to take on the Northeast Division-leading Bruins.

Things did not go well for the boys from Big D.

The tone of the game was set from the drop of the puck as three fights occurred in the first four seconds of the 6-3 Boston victory.

That's right, seconds.

When the North Stars moved to the Lone Star state from Minnesota in 1993, many people believed hockey would never work in Big D.

How wrong those people were.

Since their inaugural season, the Stars have been one of the most successful teams in the NHL.

Over the last 18 years, the Stars have won two Presidents' Trophies, seven division championships (two Central, five Pacific), a Stanley Cup in 1999 and have only missed the playoffs four times.

A crucial component to success on the ice is the personnel that skates on it.

It was only fitting that on the evening of his 1,000th career NHL game that Jamie Langenbrunner would play a major part in the Dallas Stars' 2-1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings.

The 16-year NHL veteran was honored during pregame ceremonies as he was joined by his children on ice and was presenting with a silver stick from close friend and former teammate, Joe Nieuwendyk.

Less than a minute into Chicago's match up with the Calgary Flames Sunday night at the United Center, all eyes were focused near the Flames blue line.  Not on the puck, but at the young man clutching his left leg.

Patrick Kane's first shift Sunday was his last shift.  For how long, who knows?

Whether the Chicago Blackhawks are sailing on the wave of a winning streak or struggling as they have been of late, fans have many facets of the game with which to banter around the water cooler or bar.  The conversation can weave around new faces, injuries, leadership, scoring, defense, heart, complacency, or even the schedule. 

In the Windy City, the talk is eventually going to focus between the pipes.

As part of a continuing series, writer Benjamin Benya will be previewing all 30 NHL teams over the next two weeks in preparation for the 2010-2011 regular season.

As recently as Thursday, a source close to the sale of the Stars has said that potential new owner Bill Gallacher is interested in pursuing Ilya Kovalchuk if he can become the official new owner of the Stars fast enough.  He is reportedly willing to offer Kovalchuk a 12-year, $90 million dollar offer if the left-winger remains unsigned for much longer.

So far into this season, Brad Richards has been good—scratch that—Brad Richards has been really good. Averaging over a point a game 25 games in, Richards finds himself fifth in the league in points. Say what?