No Concern Over Modano
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DALLAS — The Dallas Stars downplayed All-Star center Mike Modano leaving the 2-1 victory over the Ducks on Wednesday night.
Modano, the Stars’ leading scorer with 84 points, played only 6 minutes 43 seconds before suffering what team officials called a “lower-body injury.”
“If that’s a playoff game, he probably plays,” Dallas Coach Dave Tippett said.
The Stars will be without right wing Bill Guerin, who had thigh surgery, for their first-round playoff series.
Modano’s absence threw the Ducks off balance, said Coach Mike Babcock said.
“Once he left, I think some of our guys thought they lost their job,” he said.
“They didn’t seem to think they had a purpose.”
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This probably was goalie Martin Gerber’s last appearance for the season. Jean-Sebastien Giguere will start against Colorado on Friday and Babcock said, “I’ll use only one goalie in the playoffs ... Jiggy.”
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Duck right wing Dan Bylsma played his first game since Feb. 9.
He had missed 25 consecutive games and 32 of the last 34 games because of a bruised left knee.
-- Chris Foster
