Dallas Stars Juggle Lines With Ribeiro, Benn Out For Extended Period

by Brad Gardner on Jan 16, 2012 12:56 PM CST in Dallas Stars News

The Stars will do some major line juggling now with their top two centers (and playmakers) out of the lineup, but they'll also undergo a slight change in philosophy, though it might be more apt to call it a renewed emphasis and focus on the "structure" of their game. That's all to say that if the Stars are going to win any of these next five games, they anticipate needing to do it in a low scoring fashion.

"When you're playing without some of your best players you want to keep things tight and disciplined and structured and that's what we're going to have to do," said Glen Gulutzan in St. Louis after the team's morning skate.

"You look at the way St. Louis has played.. that's how they're winning [low scoring, defensive hockey]. It's a good game for us in the respect that St. Louis engages in those type of games and wants to keep it that way as well."

They didn't skate yesterday so this was our first chance to get word on what the new lines might be. Mike Heika talked to Gulutzan today and as best I can tell from the audio the groupings will look like this...

Morrow-Wandell-Eriksson
Nystrom-Fiddler-Ryder
Burish-Ott-Dvorak
Dowell-Petersen-Wathier

So the "third line" becomes the second line and Michael Ryder lands there. Between the three of them they've scored quite a lot (over thirty goals) so you'd like to think they can find some chances, but it will depend on Fiddler's ability to distribute and Nystrom's ability to make some space out there.

It sounds like the top power play unit will be that Wandell line, and that the other unit will be Dvorak, Fiddler and Ryder. Some penalty kill minutes will need to be absorbed by some guys as Fiddler will be playing his minutes in other situations, and Adam Burish should see his even strength minutes bump up in a big way as well. The Ott line with Dvorak and Burish has the faceoff talent concentrated and will be used in a checking role, so look for them to start in the defensive zone.

Kari Lehtonen in net tonight. Richard Bachman tomorrow. Mike Heika has more quotes at the DMN.

What do you think of the lines?

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I have to say

I think this is the best he could do, and its great to see him break up the third line.

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by Brandon Worley on Jan 16, 2012 1:07 PM CST via Android app reply actions

Ageed, I have no complaints.

And the way it’s split up now, we at least have a scoring threat on the top 3 lines.

"He punched the highlights out of her hair.... He punched the HIGHLIGHTS out of her hair!!!" -- Young Neil

by Tsudbury on Jan 16, 2012 1:12 PM CST up reply actions

I agree.

While I’ve loved the play of the third line, they need to spark some new combinations here.

by WingnutInStarsCountry on Jan 16, 2012 1:13 PM CST up reply actions

Well, I've been wanting Gulutzan....

to be more willing to experiment with line combinations.

I didn’t want to have to lose Benn and Ribeiro for that to happen, but here we are. Let’s see what they do.

God knows the PP needs to be shaken up. Might as well try Fiddler and Devo there. I mean, how much worse can it get? It’s already ranked 27th in the league.

If I recall, Burish and Ott played together quite a bit last season and were pretty effective.

by cms1171 on Jan 16, 2012 1:10 PM CST reply actions

I loved Burish and Ott together last season.

And I didn’t really care who they had with them. Benn, Langenbrunner, it didn’t really make that much difference. Those two were awesome together.

by WingnutInStarsCountry on Jan 16, 2012 1:14 PM CST up reply actions

This seems about right.

Or at least the best we can hope for. It distributes the scoring well I think and the team still has some depth with Ott on the 3rd line. That line will be good to match up against the other teams top lines.

St Louis doesnt score a whole lot do goaltending, defense and the PK all have to be good to have a chance to win.

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by T-rom on Jan 16, 2012 1:13 PM CST reply actions

Almost...but

I’d like to see the top skill on the #1 line. Maybe moving Morrow down to thrid with Ott and Burish. Ryder with Loui and Wandell. Keeping some consistancy with the Fiddler, Dvorak, Nystrom line. I like the bruising and nasty potential having Ott, Morrow, and Burish. Then coming out with some speed with Ryder, Eriksson, and Wandell. We’ll see if Gully sticks with it, if it looks dismal into the third period.

by darksidecowboy on Jan 16, 2012 1:20 PM CST reply actions

These lines sound okay.

And it’s good to see Ott/Burish.

Trevor Daley is my cup of tea.

by Henri Muroke on Jan 16, 2012 1:25 PM CST reply actions

Fiddler

Being a bog Fiddler fan, I am really excited to see how he feeds a sniper like Ryder. Fiddler is a very patient and smart passer, so I am hoping for great things!

Go Stars!

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by fakeheadguy on Jan 16, 2012 1:34 PM CST via mobile reply actions

Now's Wandell's moment

It’s unfortunate for the team being without Benn and Ribs, but it presents a golden opportunity for Tommy to shine. It would be huge for him – and the organization – if he takes advantage

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by Mike Russo on Jan 16, 2012 1:40 PM CST reply actions

yeah

He’s played well over the past few games for the most part – it’s definitely a tough assignment to go from essentially the 4th line center to the 1st line center in a matter of two weeks. Hopefully he can elevate his game even more.

by rev0lver19 on Jan 16, 2012 2:15 PM CST up reply actions

I'd like to see

Ryder with Ott and Burish, if only because Fiddler’s line has been so fantastic. He was used in a checking role in Boston with Peverly and Kelly through the playoffs, a similarly structured line I’d assume he’d find a way to be effective

by Hillbutton on Jan 16, 2012 1:52 PM CST reply actions

2 RWs on a Stars line

Never thought I’d see the day where we even had the potential to pull that off, haha.

by LilEagle on Jan 16, 2012 3:20 PM CST up reply actions

I think this is the best the lines could look with what we have available.

That being said, we are in big trouble. If we can find a way to come away with 5 points in the next 5 games i will consider that success.

by Epicrates on Jan 16, 2012 1:54 PM CST reply actions

I like it

and that he was willing to make a lot of changes, not just bump up the centers. That’s Ok if you’re gonna be without them for a game or two but not in this situation.

by StarzenheimerSchmidt on Jan 16, 2012 1:56 PM CST reply actions

I'm good with this

I just hope Gully is willing to change things up again if this doesnt work. He has to be willing to do that, not to the extent Crow did last year, but enough to build some chemistry. I thought about this last night, that even though we dont have Benn and Ribeiro, we still have 3 former 30 goal scoreres. It’s not like we dont have any firepower, its just can they get the puck?

by DStarsFan on Jan 16, 2012 2:09 PM CST reply actions