Mike Smith is the Stars' secret weapon.

OK, so he's not so secret after posting a 12-5-2 record and 2.23 goals against average as a rookie goalie last season. But he could be one of the most important role players the team has in its quest for a Pacific Division championship.

Follow this logic: The difference last season between first place in the Western Conference and ninth place, or missing the playoffs, was 18 points. The difference in wins was six. Mike Smith helped the Stars get 26 out of a possible 38 points and can do a lot to make sure the Stars are on the good side of that gap.

If 18 points is too much to swallow, consider that the Stars lost the division crown and home ice in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs by three points to Anaheim.

That's how important a backup goalie can be.

"He's a big part of our team, and I think he showed that last year," Stars coach Dave Tippett said. "We look at our goaltending as a tandem. [Marty Turco] obviously is the lead guy, but we look at it as a very good tandem."

Last season, Turco finished sixth in the NHL with 38 wins and was fourth in goals against average at 2.23. Smith was just as good among his peers. Among goalies who didn't lead their teams in minutes played and had at least 10 decisions, Smith ranked eighth in wins and second in goals against average. He did that while recording two wins against Anaheim, two against Colorado and one against Detroit.

AP

Stars goalie Mike Smith stops a shot by Colorado's Ben Guite.

"Smitty is not your typical backup, who is going to get a cushy game here or there," Tippett said. "He's a guy who is going to get quality games for us."

Stars goalie coach Andy Moog said he believes the team could expand Smith's role past the 23 games he played last season. The Stars are looking to cut Turco's load from last season's 67 games to about 60.

"I'm a little nervous now, but the nice thing about this year is I should be a lot more confident than last year," Smith said. "I'm more knowledgeable now. I've been through it, so I know what to expect. It's a good feeling."

A feeling that could mean the Stars' secret weapon is poised to do even more?

"We know his importance on this team," Tippett said. "We're not afraid to play him in any game against any team."

Stars fall to Avalanche: The Stars lost a fight-filled preseason game, 6-3, to Colorado at American Airlines Center. Mike Modano, Sergei Zubov and Vadim Khomitski scored for Dallas.

The Stars are expected to cut their roster to around 30 players, and will take those players on a four-day trip that includes a game at Phoenix on Saturday, two days of team-building in Colorado Springs, Colo., and a game in Denver on Tuesday.

Stars rookie Mike Smith ranked eighth in wins among backup goalies last season, but he ranked much higher in save percentage and goals against average. Here are the top 10 goalies who didn't lead their teams in minutes played, ranked by wins: