Marty Turco has been criticized for his lackluster play in the playoffs since his first trip back in the 2002-03 season.
Even with three shutouts last season and the first-round loss more attributed to Dallas's inability to score, Marty has been the one to take most of the heat.
Many people have his history at the Joe Louis Arena labeled as his "downfall" in the Western Conference Finals.
And with a 0-7-2 record at Detroit, the concern is understandable.
But for Marty, the concern isn't even a problem.
"This is totally a different animal. To say I’m looking forward to this is an understatement," said Turco.
And rightfully so.
During the regular season, teams go through ebbs and flows as they make their push towards the playoffs. Games have "lesser" value until it comes into the home stretch in March and April.
So what should be expected of "Turks?"
After Game 6 in Dallas, Detroit could be in for a rude awakening.
Turco left the American Airlines Center in Dallas with his head held higher than ever.
He set a franchise mark for the most saves in a single game, and he made saves that would make any player or fan turn into Keanu Reeves and say, "WOAH!"
He has a level of confidence that most goalies hope to have in the playoffs.
Turco knows this could be a chance to silence all of the critics that face him. He knows that with another stellar performance, he'll have led the Stars one step closer to hoisting the Cup, proving he is for real.
comments (6) write a comment »
write a new comment
5 months ago
He stood up to two of the top goaltenders in the NHL and outshined them both. With Giguere and Nobokov at home resting i see no reason Osgood (or even Hasek) can't be joining them if the Stars implement their style of play and slow down the Wings.
5 months ago
The Stars have been very poised this Playoff. Turco has been lights out during that time including last years 1st round exit.
5 months ago
The Red Wings' double-threat with Osgood and Hasek is a little intimidating. A little. I've been a personal fan of Moog and Belfour, from Dallas' earlier days, but Turco has proven himself in the last series against SJ. Series 1 against the Ducks was predicted to be a game of goalies, and although it seemed to extend beyond that with the unexpectedly high-scoring games, Dallas came out on top. The second series turned into a battle of goalies with remarkable saves by both Turco and Nabokov, but again, Stars prevailed.
What does this mean? Well, we've got something. We might not know exactly what it is, but we've got it. We've got experience--Modano has been with the franchise since its southern migration, Lehtinen has endured the hard times and the '99 cup, as has Zubov.
But we've also got Ribiero, Morrow, Hagman, Eriksson, Niskanen, and basically, a cast of college-aged kids with energy, stamina, and a craving to drink from the cup. We just need to harness some of that energy we saw in the beginning of game 6 against SJ. THAT will win the cup.
5 months ago
the red wings arent even a team of people theyre european machines that conjour up goals whenever they feel like it. Turco is gonna have to make 35 saves a night to have a chance to win 4 out of 7 from these guys.
5 months ago
I agree with the european machines, perfect way of putting it, but I doubt it will be like that for Turco everynight. He had to shut down an amazing team in San Jose and the Stars have shown not just this season, but in previous seasons that they allow less shots on goals. Wings will def give us a run for our money, but I dont see it being a shoot out like previous times.
If Dan Ellis can play as well as he did against the Wings in the QF, then I dont see Turco having that same issue.
5 months ago
I agree with Shane, GO STARS
write a new comment