The Dallas Stars started Richard Bachman tonight, almost a metaphorical white flag on the season. Bachman’s an excellent backup goaltender, but he’s the backup. There’s no reason for Dallas to start Kari Lehtonen, or for the guys on the ice to really try. Regulars Steve Ott, Mark Fistric, and Stefan Robidas are scratches. These kind of games are dangerous for teams heading into the playoffs like St. Louis, because you can be lulled into a sense of complacency. Hopefully the Blues, who have been complacent enough through the last four games, won’t let that trend continue tonight — a five game losing streak is no way to head into the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The Blues are leading the stars in shots 9-8, which is impressive since the Blues have given the Stars four powerplays so far this game to the Blues one. The team looks tighter than they did last night, but they still have two periods to prove that they’re in tight enough shape to win.