The Dallas Stars finally got the great win that they were supposed to do immediately following the Olympics as they headed for the last 20 games of the regular season and secure a playoff spot.

According to NHL Analyst Keith Jones, “The team that gets out of the gate the fastest in the Western Conference is the one that is going to grab that last playoff spot.” Unfortunately, it looks like Detroit, who won their first three games. Yet, the Stars, who had been winless and outscored 17-5, finally broke the Eastern-leading Capitals 13-game NHL record home-wimming streak. I was ready to write off the season until Turco won it all for the Stars.

GM Joe Nieuwendyk’s only move prior to the NHL’s trade deadline was accquiring goalie of the future Kari Lehtonen for power-play pointman of the future Ivan Vishnevskiy.

This week, the Stars return home to once again face the Los Angeles Kings, who spoiled there post-Olympic return to ice with a 5-1 pounding last week. The week continues with 4-point face-offs against Division rivals the Colorado Avalanche and the San Jose Sharks before my original home team, the Philadelphia Flyers, make their every other year stop at the AAC. The Dallas Chapter of the Philadelphia Flyers Fan Club will be celebrating at The Boardroom in Victory Place with Philly Cheesesteak Night on the 18th.