STARS RICKETY SHACK

You want my Sunday take on the disastrous first two games of this crucial five game road trip? (And really the first dozen games all together)

Think of a hockey team as a house.

The foundation of this "house" is the goaltending and defensive structure. With that in mind, a call to Olshan appears to be imminent.

Your special teams (powerplay and penalty killing) are the electrical. Right now - they aren't up to code and are probably a fire hazard.

Then you have materials; timber, bricks, etc. The Stars have some of these building supplies - but they are real short on nails and mortar. (Players like Lehtinen, Zubov, Barnes, Carbonneau, Keane, Ludwig...etc.) Because of that its like they are trying to frame a house with scotch tape and Elmer's glue.

The roof is leaky.

Some of the studs are rotten.

And the project is cash strapped.

The general contractor and the home builder (hockey dept.) have five days to get the structure stabilized and back on schedule before it gets tested by the evil winds of redemption that will surely be gale force in Anaheim and San Jose.

They need a few more guys to show up at the job site with sleeves rolled up and hammer in hand.

And come to think of it, adding a storm closet during the repairs wouldn't be a bad idea.