It's not easy to shut down the New York Islanders. The Dallas Stars haven't done it since 1992, when they were still the Minnesota North Stars and Jon Casey was in net. So last night's Kari Lehtonen-authored shutout – the 34th of his career – was a nice bit of history as well as a cherry on the cake of a crucial home stand that could see Our Gang clinch a playoff spot today, before they play another game.
Even more, the Stars played the kind of game they'll need to keep playing as they prepare for the postseason, Lindy Ruff told the media:
Coach Lindy Ruff said the Stars' play in a 3-1-1 homestand against five playoff teams in the Blackhawks, Blues, Kings, Lightning and Islanders was important.