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Now you should fully understand why the Stars put the captain's C on Brenden Morrow's sweater.

See, it was never really about anything Mike Modano wasn't doing, though management certainly bungled the transition. Instead, it had everything to do with what Morrow could potentially do when placed in the ultimate leadership position.

He proved that during the Stars' 4-2 series win over San Jose, which ended in the wee hours of Monday morning – 1:24 to be exact – when Morrow redirected a pass from Stephane Robidas in the fourth overtime.

The victory propelled Dallas into the Western Conference finals for the first time since 2000.

Detroit is better. And the Red Wings are well rested after sweeping Colorado. They should beat the Stars in six games.

But if Detroit underestimates Dallas for even one shift, Morrow will figure out a way to lead the Stars to victory.

The Stars have plenty of depth, and Modano, Marty Turco, Mike Ribeiro, Brad Richards and Robidas have been excellent in the playoffs. But Morrow provides the Stars' heartbeat.

His performance in Game 6 against San Jose was one of the best in franchise history.

Easily.

First, he delivered a mind-blowing 19 hits. No one else on either team had more than nine during the five-hour, 14-minute game.

One of those legal hits knocked Milan Michalek, who had scored four goals in the first five games of the series, out of the game as regulation ended. He did not return, giving the Stars an advantage.

Second, Morrow played 51 minutes. Mike Ribeiro was the only forward on either team to play more.

But Morrow refused to yield to fatigue and fought for position in front of the goal on the Stars' only power play of overtime, putting him in position to score on Robidas' pass.

By the way, Morrow also took seven shots. Only four players took more.

"To say he's a warrior is kind of an understatement at this point," Turco said. "With all he's gone through, the attention he gets, the physical nature he plays with and the pure intensity. It's not easy, but it's something that's inside him."

Finally, he's getting a chance to enjoy the C and all the accolades and responsibility that accompany it. Before the start of last season, the powers that be stripped his good friend Modano of the C and placed it on Morrow's sweater.

Clearly, Morrow felt conflicted.

While Morrow was proud of the honor, he felt bad because his friend – the face of the Stars for more than a decade – had been demoted, no matter how hard management tried to deny it.

Morrow, uncomfortable in his new position, didn't always speak up because he didn't want to appear to be usurping Modano's authority. These days, he says whatever is on his mind.

It's one of the reasons these Stars have discovered postseason success. Frankly, Morrow deserved to end the San Jose series.

His stellar play throughout the series is one of the reasons this team finds new and creative ways to win instead of losing. Remember, it had lost eight of nine overtime games entering these playoffs.

The Stars feed off Morrow's competitiveness.

The captain doesn't have to be the best skater. Or the most accomplished scorer. Or the most intimidating defenseman.

Morrow is none of those.

He's never going to be a pretty player. He's as likely to punch out your lights as he is to put the puck in the net.

He is, however, without a doubt the most relentless player on the Stars. You can't make him quit. You can't intimidate him.

At times, as we saw in Game 6, he refuses to lose.

Morrow will lead, and if the rest of his teammates continue to follow, the Stars will push Detroit to the edge.