March 27th, 2012: Stars Lose in Calgary 5-4

The Pacific Division race could not be any closer then what it is. Every game from this point forward has a meaning by not only who gets into the playoffs, but who gets the number 3 seed. The Stars came into Calgary after beating the Flames on Saturday to try and beat them for the fourth straight time this year. Unfortunately, the Stars could not pull it out. This was an entertaining game to watch though with two teams that could form an interesting rivalry. In the end Calgary went on to win the game 5 to 4. While this game was going on, I was scoreboard watching Vancouver vs. Los Angeles and San Jose vs. Colorado. The Canucks shut out Los Angeles 1 to 0, and Roberto Luongo had an impressive 38 save night. The Sharks however breezed to a victory over the Avalanche 5 to 1. San Jose's victory last night put them in 1st place in the Pacific Division, and in the 3rd seed in the Western Conference with 88 points. Dallas holds the 7th seed having 87 points with Phoenix taking the 8th seed with 87 points as well. Los Angeles is the odd man right now with 86 points in 9th place. With only a hand full of games left in the regular season, these playoffs positions will more than likely change around at least a few more times. All the Pacific Division teams will have tonight off and will play tomorrow night. The games to pay attention tomorrow are Los Angeles at Calgary (8:30), San Jose at Anaheim (9:00), and of course Dallas at Edmonton (8:30). Dallas will then finish their Canadian road trip in Vancouver on Friday against the 2nd place Canucks. The race for the Pacific Division will be something to definitely keep up with!

March 3rd, 2012: Dirk's 40 Points End Mavs Losing Streak

After it was thought that Lamar Odom was supposed to be playing for the Texas Legends last night, the Mavericks decided to bring Odom back up for last night's victory over the Utah Jazz 102 to 96. This win for the Mavericks will end their 4 game losing streak they had coming into this game. The first three quarters seemed to be all Mavs, but the Utah Jazz picked it up in the fourth quarter of this game to score 41 points. Luckily, the Mavericks were able to hold the Jazz to not picking up the victory. One of those reasons being Dirk Nowitzki's 40 point game. He definitely played a big role in this game. Oddly though the Mavericks are (0-5) without Lamar Odom playing. That makes me wonder if that is the only reason the Mavericks decided to bring him back up with the team. Lamar Odom had 9 points in his 18 minutes on the court. This win for the Mavericks is the first 100 point game since February 15th against the Denver Nuggets where they won that game 102 to 84. The Mavericks will play the Oklahoma City Thunder tomorrow night, which will probably be a good game to watch. It will be at Oklahoma starting at 7:00 central time.

March 2nd 2012: Mavericks and Stars Results

The Mavericks still have looked poorly coming into the second half of the season. They haven't won a game in the second half, and are on a four game losing streak. Including last night's loss to the last place Western Conference New Orleans Hornets. The final score on last night's game was 97 to 92. The Mavericks looked a little bit sloppy in this game. There was one exception though with Rodrigue Beaubois who seemed to step up.  Beaubois had 25 points on the night. The Mavericks run at the end though almost came through, but just like against New Jersey, the Mavericks fell short. The Mavericks will be at home tonight taking on the Utah Jazz at 7:30, and will attempt to end their losing streak. It is also official that Lamar Odom will actually being playing with the Mavericks instead of playing with the Mavericks' D League team the Texas Legends. Mark Cuban has said only the last part of the season is important in this strike shortened season, but should we be worried yet?

While the Mavericks have been in a losing slump, the Stars have played the complete opposite here lately. As a Stars fan it is always fun to watch them play the Edmonton Oilers. The Stars came into this game and got two more points that they needed defeating the Oilers 3 to 1. The Stars currently sit at 8th place in the Western Conference just 3 points ahead of the Los Angeles Kings. Though Edmonton hasn't had a good team the last couple years, it is always fun to get a victory over your Western Conference rival. Dvorak, Vincour, and Ryder where the three Stars that got the three goals on the board. Michael Ryder's empty net goal gave him his 27th goal of the seaon. Ryder leads the teams in goals scored.  Kari Lehtonen had a phenomenal peformance in the net as well. He had 19 saves in the game, and should've had help in shot number 20. Lehtonen was only 30 short seconds away from a shut out! There next game will be tomorrow night as they continue on with their Canadian road trip as they take on the Calgary Flames at 6:00 central time.





Both Dallas Teams Lose

Well the Mavs haven't started off the second half of the season well at all. They have fallen to 0-2 through the first two games falling to New Jersey and Memphis. With the loss last night, one can only hope Dirk will be okay with that sore back. The Mavs don't need injuries. If you are going to have them though I guess now would be a good time. The Mavericks would go on to lose this game 96-85.

The Stars were so close to getting the victory over the Penguins, but just couldn't connect on key opportunities. Of course I don't like how we traded James Neal this year. He has been on a roll since leaving the Stars and has been quite impressive scoring over 30 goals this season. He also had a shoot out goal in this game. Theses Pesky Stars will take whatever they can get. The final score was 4-3 in the shoot out.

Mavericks play the Hornets tomorrow, and the Stars start their Canadian road trip against the Edmonton Oilers. I see both teams coming out as the victor in those games.