Heika's Take: Stars' victory over Ducks was anything but typical

DALLAS --The Stars put a period on the season Friday night.
They could've put an exclamation point. Heck, maybe even two.
But they grabbed a 4-2 win over the Anaheim Ducks, tossing 19 shots on goal against three different goaltenders and meandering their way through a tepid victory that gives them a solid point performance of 98 (their second best in the past 15 seasons).

Still, it wasn't exactly what you wanted to see as they get ready for the playoffs.
"That didn't prepare us for the playoffs," Stars coach Rick Bowness said. "That was a no-hitter, which was to be expected. We'll be ready for Tuesday."

Dallas got behind early, took a 2-1 lead in the second period on goals from Thomas Harley (his first NHL goal) and Joel Hanley, and then saw the Ducks tie things up before the second intermission. It was an odd night.

Anaheim lost starter John Gibson to injury and then switched to Anthony Stolarz in the second period. Stolarz also suffered an injury and the Ducks then had to go to the emergency backup goalie Thomas Hodges. The 28-year-old is a Dallas resident and part of the NHL's program to make sure every team on the road has a third goalie available. He came in and allowed one goal on three shots, getting tagged for the loss.
"I think once we got on the ice and started skating around a little bit doing my normal routine it felt like any other hockey game I've played before," Hodges said. "In that locker room when I got that call, 'Hey you're actually going to have to go out,' because it was 50-50 there for a little bit. Yeah, I was probably as nervous as I've ever been. I've never played in front of so many people. Experience of a lifetime and something I'm going to remember for the rest of my life for sure."

The EBUG experience spoke to the lack of intensity in the game. The score was tied at 2-2. Anaheim brought in a backstop out of the stands, and the Stars mustered only three shots on goal before adding an empty-net goal.
"Well, it was a tough game, Anaheim had nothing to lose," said Radek Faksa, who had two assists. "They have lots of skilled players, so it was a tough game. Very happy about the win but I think we can still play a better game, but it's always good to win before playoffs."

It was a surreal feeling.
The win gives Dallas a 46-30-6 record good for 98 points. The Stars finish 27-10-4 on home ice, but they're the only team to make the playoffs with an overall negative goal differential (minus-8). First-round opponent Calgary was plus-85.
So, a team that blew a three-goal lead Wednesday in a 4-3 overtime loss to Arizona could've used a little more confidence-building. It didn't happen, and now the Stars will have to find that confidence in a good practice and a lot of film work.

"It's playoffs, everyone will be ready," Faksa said. "We're pro athletes and that's what we play the whole season for. It's tough to get into playoffs. It's exciting to play in playoffs and it's the best thing you can play in hockey, Stanley Cup Playoffs."
Dallas will take Saturday off and practice Sunday. In that span, it'll intensify its mindset and prepare for Game 1. It's a bit of a transition, but the coaches and players say they understand the difference between a regular season final where one team is using a guy from the stands, and a playoff game against one of the best teams in the NHL.
"It's nice to have a little fun out there," Bowness said after Tyler Seguin tracked down a game puck for Hodges and all the Stars player congratulated the Dallas resident. "That's what this game should've been. I saw the guys talking on the ice tonight but, you know what, Tuesday night it takes it to a whole other end of the spectrum. The intensity and everything else is going to ramp up, so have a little fun tonight. We got the win, we got 98 points, it's a hell of a year now let's move on."
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club.
Mike Heikais a Senior Staff Writer for DallasStars.com and has covered the Stars since 1994. Follow him on Twitter @MikeHeika.