Zubov was selected Thursday by the NHL's Hockey Operations Department as a Western Conference reserve for the All-Star Game on Jan. 27 in Atlanta – his fourth overall selection and his first since 2000.

"Individual awards are just not something he thinks about," said Stars center Mike Modano. "I think they may have been worried in the past that he would say no, so they didn't even ask him."

Zubov said there have been instances in the past when he has not wanted to attend.

"Honestly, there were a few times when I was trying to save myself for the playoffs," Zubov said. "But there are some great memories in the games where I did go."

One such time was when Zubov was at a practice for the World Team and he and his teammates couldn't score on Dominik Hasek.

"Forty times, I would say, on shootouts, and only one of them scored," Zubov said. "Mats Sundin, I think it was. It was something I won't forget."

Zubov has been battling a hand injury and also was hit in the foot by a puck in Chicago on Wednesday. He was limping after the game but said he would be fine Saturday against Los Angeles. And while he might need the rest at the end of the month, he said he was excited about going to Atlanta.

"This is a huge honor for me, and I am very excited to represent my team at the All-Star Game," he said. "I'm really looking forward to it."

Zubov, 37, ranked third in scoring among NHL defensemen heading into Thursday's game with 35 points (4 goals, 31 assists) in 43 games. He ranks third all time among European-born defensemen with 767 points (behind Nicklas Lidstrom and Borje Salming). He tied Derian Hatcher for third on the Stars' all-time games-played list Thursday.

Ribeiro not selected: Despite ranking sixth among Western Conference forwards with 48 points and fifth with 22 goals, center Mike Ribeiro was not among the 12 forwards selected. The NHL tries to select at least one player from each team, and that kept Ribeiro from making his first All-Star Game appearance.

"He certainly deserves to be there," coach Dave Tippett said. "But when you're going to add one from every team, the numbers run out."

Ribeiro said he was hoping to be named, but he understands the process. He said he loves watching the games and is a big fan of the skills competition.

"I'll watch Zubie now," he said.

Briefly: Since 2002-03, the Stars have winning records on three of four road trips of five games or more. Dallas' only losing record in such an extended trip under Tippett was a 2-3-2 run in 2002. Dallas was 4-2-0 on a six-game trip this season and played the second game of a five-game trip Thursday. ... Ribeiro's 21 goals entering Thursday was the fifth-most by a Star after 45 games. Modano had 27 after 45 games in 1993-94, when he finished with 50. ... Ribeiro played in his 400th career NHL regular-season game.