HOW TO SHAKE A FUNK

Sounds like a Lady GaGa project doesn't it? (Please.)

The Stars are in the chaotic throws of a skid right now. An ugly 2-6-1 slide. If it is perpetuated much longer the grasp on a return to the post season will slip into the ditch.

Time to steer in the direction of the current rear end fishtail and in order to get this rig pointed back down the road to the playoffs, the Stars need these 5 things to happen:

1.) Dictate the play from the opening face-off...It's in there. They've displayed it before. But too many games they've appeared sluggish and full of trepidation in the opening period. Maybe the bench needs to be as short in the first period as it usually is in the third in order to get a better rhythm going for those top 6 forwards.

2.) Make the Powerplay count again...This is from the department of the obvious. It's worth noting that the only powerplay personnel out with an injury is one Jamie Benn, so this part of special teams should not be failing at the rate it is.

3.) Trim practice time for all big minute players...The season has entered the 4th quarter, time to put a premium on energy for the games. Systems should be second nature by now and video is a wonderful tool to use off the ice. Watching top time on the ice defenseman Stephane Robidas hit the pond for virtually every game day skate and off day practice seems counterproductive. I know he wants to be out there to show leadership and to prep in his own mind but they need his stalwart 25 minutes at 7:30 pm not 45 minutes at 10:30 am. Same goes for Daley, Eriksson, Morrow, etc. They have a third goalie practice to spell Lehtonen and that has had a positive effect, so...

4.) Get the transition game tight again...The sports cars (forwards) aren't consistently getting the fuel from the pumps (defensemen). Longer hose? How about the cars come back closer to the station instead. Back as 5, up as 5. A tight, disciplined gap. Puck movement drives the pace and if they want to play uptempo then they need to move the pill crisply, and in concert with one another. First things first.

5.) Have the goaltending act as an absolute equalizer...For the most part the netminding has been heroic, but having said that, valiant in defeat isn't what's needed right now. They need "game-stealing" goaltending. If the situation asks for perfection, then clean-sheet stonewalling of the opposition needs to be delivered. It's the one position that can make up for all kinds of injuries and issues, and this group has more than it's share of bumps, bruises and sundry items that are effecting it's success rate.

That, gang, is Razor's "Isn't it easy from the press box" Monday morning pontification.

Off to Western Canada with perhaps (here comes the hyperbole) their post season prospects on the line.