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Dallas Stars' next series won't lack emotion
09:35 PM CDT on Thursday, April 24, 2008
FRISCO – While intensity and hunger were issues for the Dallas Stars' first-round playoff opponent – defending Stanley Cup champion Anaheim – they shouldn't be a concern for the second-round foe.
The San Jose Sharks are a lot like the Stars – they're hungry for playoff success.
"They definitely are excited about this season, especially with the way they finished," Stars defenseman Trevor Daley said of San Jose's 19-2-2 run that captured the Pacific Division. "They probably think this is their year. But, really, we think this is our year, too."
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Second round: Stars vs. Sharks
Game 1: 9 p.m. Fri. in San Jose
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And that should mean a real increase in intensity for the second-round series, which starts tonight in San Jose at 9 p.m.
No Stars wanted to question the intensity of the Anaheim Ducks in the first round, but the Ducks sure did. Defenseman Chris Pronger said the team lacked the "eye of the tiger" it had in the previous season, and coach Randy Carlyle said the team struggled to find its inner motivation.
San Jose won't have similar problems. In the last four seasons, the Sharks have won two division titles and finished second twice. They have been one of the league's best regular-season teams and yet have exited in the second round twice and lost in the Western Conference finals in 2004.
"They're a lot like us in that they have been working for this for a long time," Stars defenseman Stephane Robidas said. "They've made changes, and they've worked hard and they've pushed to get better. You always try to do that, but I think they see this as a great opportunity."
The Sharks are using similar phrases, talking about taking one step at a time and not losing sight of the prize. They are coming off a Game 7 win against Calgary in which they tested themselves and came through with flying colors.
"You look at how they responded in Game 7, and that just shows how focused they are and how hard they will be to beat on home ice," Robidas said. "They are playing very well right now."
Still, the Stars have played well in San Jose. Dallas is 6-1-1 in its last eight trips there, including 3-0-1 this season. Dallas played well in a hostile environment in the first round, taking the first two games in Anaheim. But players know it won't be easy to sneak into HP Pavilion and duplicate that feat.
To give themselves a chance, the Stars say they must balance intensity with poise.
"You say you're going to need intensity, and that's true. But you can't just run around and play crazy," veteran defenseman Mattias Norstrom said. "What we were able to do in the first round is to mix intensity with discipline and control. You have to be at your most intense, and you have to finish every check and make sure you battle for every puck. But you also have to be smart. They're a smart team, so we have to be smart."
The teams are very similar. Both hand out few power-play opportunities. Both limit scoring chances and shots on goal. Both are patient and don't mind winning 2-1 games.
And both seem very hungry.
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