SEXY, SUBTLE AND SCATOLOGICAL

Can one line carry the infirmary that is this year's Stars right into the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs?

The line of Ribeiro, Eriksson and Ott seem to be saying yes.

They had a hand in all 3 goals in the "must win" (they're all must wins now) 3-2 overtime victory against the Wild last night. Ott with a pair of goals, Ribeiro two helpers, and Loui Eriksson 3 assists.

Individually the trio has lived up to the witty title of this blog entry, or "blentry".

Ribeiro is the sexy one, with all that seductive puck play and desirable offense. The guy has the stamina of a stud, the eyes of a "cougar" and the hands of a masseuse.

Eriksson - he's just so bloody subtle with his production. He's the most unassuming top10 goal scorer in the league and look at the three assists tonight: A patient primary assist on Ott's first (a lot of guys would have just kept trying to cram the puck in themselves), a prolonged puck possession sequence to help set up his second, and then the strong helper off a face-off to set up the Grossman winner in OT. A shrug of the shoulders, a tap on the shin pads - ho hum.

As for the scattological one, Steve Ott aka The Pepper Pot, just watch the first period of the game against the Habs for proof of his petulant and pestilant ways. The guy has been absolutely sensational. He's turning Brenden Morrow's injury into a career year for himself as he "mows Morrow's lawn" on the left side of Ribeiro's line.

They are quite a trio and a wickedly productive one at that. The three have either scored or helped set up 14 of the Stars 19 goals since Lehtinen left the unit when he went down with an injury in San Jose and was replaced by Eriksson.

Ribeiro and company have proven that they take the bit well - now the question begged is do they have a finishing kick?

Just make sure you pack the riding crop Tippy and we'll find out.