RE-RACK TIME

What a thumping that was.

Men against boys.

Varsity schooling JV.

You saw it -- ugly.

If the Stars are going to play to the level the Red Wings were at in Game 1 they'll need to lower their mental cholesterol and ignite those fast twitch muscles that seemed dormant in the opener.

Believe is the playoff slogan and that's what they need -- belief. Belief that they can/will defeat that Red Machine here in Detroit. They can't win the series without popping them on their home ice. And they're now down to games 2,5, and 7 (potentially) to do so.

Sure the guys were a tad lymphatic from the Shark series' marathon finale but they were also sluggish between the ears and they played right into the Red Wings strengths - which are plentiful.

If Game 1 was purely a contest of hockey sense the Stars lost 10-0.

Going forward this really isn't about "working harder" or "skating harder", its about working smarter and skating with purpose.

So lets hope they purge the needless penalties, reform their penalty killing, recharge their energy reserves, and take their smart pills.

I suggest they all get a deep tissue massage, guzzle a crate of Red Bull, hammer back as much salmon as they can stomach (I read it's a smart food), and get a good nights sleep in preparation for the most important game of their season.