Brenden Morrow had a collision with Sergei Zubov in practice Saturday, and was limping around afterward. He said he didn't think he would have a problem in Game 2, but added before the game, "I haven't skated on it yet, so we'll see."

Morrow appeared perfectly fine, as he was one of the Stars' most active players and had three shots on his first shift of the game.

Mike Heika

The Stars were scheduled to fly back this morning. The Stars are trying to conserve energy and best handle the travel from two time zones away, along with the fact Games 3 and 4 will be on back-to-back nights.

"We complain about our division and the travel that we have, but I think we know how to manage those situations very well," Stars coach Dave Tippett said. "That's just part of being in the division we're in."

Mike Heika

With the return of Sergei Zubov to the lineup for the first time since Jan. 17, the Stars decided to be safe and use seven defensemen. Center Toby Petersen was a healthy scratch for the first time in the playoffs, and Zubov joined the regular rotation of six defensemen. Dallas alternated pairs and shuffled players a great deal.

"There are variables in every lineup, but I think even though he hasn't played for a while, Zubie is a pretty special player," Stars coach Dave Tippett said before the game.

"It's like every game, you put together what you think is a game plan to win that game, and that's what we're going to try to do."

Mike Heika

San Jose coach Ron Wilson suggested that the Stars' systematic style of play was hypnotizing the Sharks, like a swinging watch.

Stars coach Dave Tippett wasn't playing along.

"I was going to buy a watch today," Tippett said, pointing to his wrist before Game 2. "The truth is, my watch is broke."

Chuck Carlton

San Jose has grown increasingly frustrated with the success that Mike Modano, who scored a goal Sunday night, has enjoyed against the Sharks on their home ice.

Modano said he's always enjoyed playing against the Sharks whether it was in San Francisco at the Cow Palace or in San Jose at the HP Pavilion.

He also listed another factor: Sharks coach Ron Wilson and his longtime involvement with USA Hockey.

"Having Ron as coach over there, you always wanted to play well, because he was coaching World Cup and Olympic teams," Modano said. "You always wanted to go out and prove something to him."

Chuck Carlton

Stars coach Dave Tippett has one incentive to continue playing in the postseason. The area around his off-season home in northern Minnesota received 15 inches of snow overnight. ... Marty Turco has won three consecutive playoff games for the first time since the final three games of the Stars' first-round victory over Edmonton in 2003. ... San Jose D Kyle McLaren (lower-body injury) was a scratch for the second straight game.

Chuck Carlton and Jeff Miller