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Chat Reel: Darren Eliot
Don't bet against Dallas
Posted: Monday June 05, 2000 06:22 PM
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Darren Eliot points out that goalie Ed Belfour is 9-0 as a Star in games following a loss in the postseason. AP |
CNNSI Host: Welcome to today's chat with CNNSI.com's hockey analyst Darren Eliot. Hi Darren. Thanks for joining us.
Darren Eliot: My pleasure.
From Guest: Do you think the "winning Game 3 = winning the Stanley Cup" tradition will serve to be true for the Devils this year?
Darren Eliot: It certainly puts you in a position of leverage, but if Dallas wins tonight it's back to a best two out of three series. The second point about that, Dallas has shown such an ability to survive and win at all costs, that I certainly wouldn't bet against them in Game 4 or for the entire series.
From NVPACK: Can Martin Brodeur win a game in which he faces 30 to 40 shots?
Darren Eliot: He certainly can. That's a good question. Sometimes he suffers from being overlooked because his team allows for so few shots against that you think anybody could do the job he does. In fact, sometimes it's more difficult as a Goaltender to face so few shots, it tests your concentration. Martin Brodeur, in the 2000 playoffs, his team has only been out-shot three times and the Devils won all three of those games, so I think that answers the question.
From IndyChris: If New Jersey wins tonight, can Dallas overcome a two game deficit?
Darren Eliot: It's almost referred to in question one. Dallas, to me, has the survival instinct of a cockroach - they just won't go away. But the Devils match up so well with the Stars, a 3-1 deficit for Dallas isn't insurmountable. On the other side of that, with the Devils coming back 3-1 themselves in the Eastern Conference finals, you know that they wouldn't be overlooking Dallas if they were to go up three games to one.
From Guest: Will Jamie Langenbrunner be back for the Stars tonight? Is he the answer to Dallas' problems?
Darren Eliot: Langenbrunner - a strong possibility that he will be in the lineup tonight. Is he the answer? If he's truly healthy, he could certainly shore up the lack of offensive production on the second line. One thing his absence has pointed out is that the Dallas Stars aren't that deep in terms of scoring wingers. Their reliance on the top line has pointed out that they have a weakness offensively.
From Guest: Is the home-ice advantage going to make a difference now for New Jersey? Good or bad. It didn't seem to do good for Dallas.
Darren Eliot: Home ice really isn't as a big a deal as folks make it out to be. Both of these folks can win anywhere on any ice surface. Much has been made of the poor ice conditions at Reunion Arena in Dallas. The thinking would be that that would be a liability for the Devils, but the Devils play on ice at Continental Airlines Arena that isn't so great in its own right. The fact of the matter is that Dallas has been a good team at home from an emotional standpoint. The Devils going in there and winning in Game three has to have given the Devils a lift.
From Walquist: New Jersey seems to calm down and play their game better on the road. Why is this?
Darren Eliot: I think it comes down, mostly to confidence. The Devils, a couple of seasons ago, were the winningest road team of all time, or challenged the Montreal Canadiens for that record. So more than style or system change, it's as much a mindset with this group. They're confident and comfortable and really seem to rally around the feeling of us against the world on the road.
From Guest: How have the Stars reacted to their losses? Are they ready to take control of tonight's must-win situation?
Darren Eliot: The fact that the Stars have responded so well in critical situations in the past couple of post seasons - you can take a look at the numbers, at Belfour being 9-0 as a Star in games following loses. I believe they're 3-0 in Game Fours following losses in Game 3. The difference in this situation is that the other three Game Fours situations were on the road. And they were able to come through. I think this time they realize there's added pressure since it's at home and it is a must-win situation and I'm sure they're viewing it that way.
From Guest: Is Belfour to blame for Dallas' two losses? What does he need to do to get better?
Darren Eliot: Belfour has been the Stars' best player since training camp in September. Yes, he had an off performance in Game 1, but without him, the Stars would be sitting at home watching the Colorado Avalance against the New Jersey Devils. He needs to continue to play at a high level, but he needs his teammates to give him some consistent offensive support.
From IndyChris: If Dallas loses the Cup Finals could you see a shake up of that team by maybe trading Mike Modano for youth?
Darren Eliot: I could see them evaluating certain elements of their team. Modano wouldn't been one of the people in the evaluation process - he's a cornerstone. The Stars, win or lose, they'll probably have to evaluate some of their role-players that are advanced in age. An example would be Carbonneau who is the oldest player in the league at 40. The Stars did a nice job this season mixing in some younger players. Their biggest decision moving forward as an organization is how quickly you give those younger players an expanded role.
CNNSI Host: That's all the time we have for today. Thanks again for joining us Darren. And enjoy tonight's game.
Darren Eliot: I certainly will. Anytime I'm talking hockey, I'm happy.
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