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LOOKING AHEAD: Stars goalie Turco is itching for good playoff series
Ben Kuzma, The Province
Published: Monday, April 09, 2007

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Willie Mitchell knows where to find a good cut of meat in Dallas, but admits cutting it in the playoffs against his former team is going to be a tall order.

"Bob's is a very good steakhouse and we've got that on the charter all the time," the Canucks defenceman said Sunday following a listless 3-1 loss to the Phoenix Coyotes where the focus was clearly on the playoffs.

"There are a few good places [to eat] in Dallas, but I wasn't there that long."

Mitchell was in Big D long enough to gain an appreciation of how the Dallas Stars execute their patient and annoying game. Acquired at the trade deadline last season from the Minnesota Wild, the Port McNeill native saw first-hand how the Stars stifle you with a trapping style and pounce on your mistakes.

To Mitchell, it's not surprising that the season series, in which the Canucks held a 3-0-1 edge on Stars, were all 2-1 decisions.

The Stars managed 107 points without having a player in the top 30 of league scoring. In fact, two of their top four scorers are defencemen Sergei Zubov (54 points) and Philippe Boucher (51).

Injuries hurt the Stars up front as Mike Modano finished with 22 goals in 59 games and Brendan Morrow 16 goals in 40 games. The Stars are also ninth in penalty killing and 11th on the power play.

"They've scratched and clawed to get the points they have without a healthy lineup," said Mitchell. "They're very patient and well coached and I think we're giong to have to throw pucks at the net.

"Marty [Turco] hasn't had a great playoffs yet, but he's a competitor and really wants it bad. The key for us is a good start to the series and stay out of box."

Mitchell and Kevin Bieksa will likely function as a shutdown pair when the series opens Wednesday at GM Place. Bieksa didn't play Sunday to rest a bruised foot after he blocked a first-period shot Saturday during a 4-3 overtime win at San Jose that clinched the division title.

How confident is Bieksa that he can shake off the ailment before Game 1?

"One hundred per cent," he said.

Could he have played Sunday?

"I don't know," he said. "I'd have to see if it [foot] would fit in the boot. But I got the X-ray and it's fine."

The Canucks know they have a perfect fit for the series in Roberto Luongo. Longing for his first career playoff appearance, the workhorse went 47-22-6 this season with a 2.29 goals-against average and a sparkling .921 saves percentage.

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