Dallas Stars: Does Loss To San Jose Sharks Push Them Out of the Playoff Picture?

With their monster 6-0 win over Dallas last night, the Sharks earned a playoff spot while possibly eliminating the rival Stars from the playoffs.

"[It's] satisfying, we're in the postseason," said captain Joe Thornton after the win. "[Tonight] we were fresh and we had our legs and it was a [good] all-around game."

The win was monumental for the Sharks, who do not want to face the Stars in the playoffs. In the 2007-08 season, the last time the Stars made the postseason, Dallas eliminated San Jose in quadruple overtime of Game 6.

"[There's] a lot of dislike between these two teams," said Boyle, who joined the team in 2008. "[We'd] like to put them out of the playoff picture."

With last night's victory, they may have.

If the Stars are going to get back into the playoff picture, the following six players will have to perform better than they did last night.

Tom Schreier is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all quotes were obtained first-hand or from official interview materials from the San Jose Sharks.

Steve Ott

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GLENDALE, AZ - MARCH 01: Steve Ott #29 of the Dallas Stars before the NHL game against the Phoenix Coyotes at Jobing.com Arena on March 1, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. The Stars defeated the Coyotes 3-2. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

He's not Matt Cooke, but Steve Ott can inside the head of his opposition.

"He certainly likes to open his mouth and talk a lot," said Boyle. "[That's] the way he feels he can be effective and for the most part it works."

Forward Devin Setoguchi emphasized the importance of ignoring his antics on the ice.

"You just don’t listen to him," he says. "Guys like that if you just don’t—if you don’t acknowledge it, don’t engage with him, then their job is useless."

Loui Eriksson

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 05: Loui Eriksson #21 of the Dallas Stars skates against the Philadelphia Flyers on February 5, 2011 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Flyers defeated the Stars 3-1. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

With 24 goals in 73 games this season, Eriksson will probably finish the season with less goals than his 2008-09 and 2009-10 campaign, where he scored 36 and 29 times, respectively.

However, the fifth-year forward is still a big part of the Stars' offensive attack.

"He’s very [offensive-minded]," says defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic. "[He] finds holes in the offensive zone, shoots it pretty quick, he’s got great hands around the net and is one of their leading goal scorers."

Although young in age, defenseman Douglas Murray says he plays like a veteran.

"He’s scored a lot of goals in this league for a long time," says Murray. "I’m sure he’s young in age, but once you have three years or more in this league you almost count as an experienced player these days."

Brad Richards

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GLENDALE, AZ - MARCH 29: Brad Richards #91 of the Dallas Stars during the NHL game against the Phoenix Coyotes at Jobing.com Arena on March 29, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. The Coyotes defeated the Stars 2-1 in an overtime shoot out. (Photo by Christian

By retaining Brad Richards at the trade deadline, the Stars showed their fans that they are serious about making the playoffs after being sent home early the past two years.

Richards has played well this season, but (has yet to score in his last five games).

One more goal would tie his season high, 26, that he set with the Lightning in 2003-04—the year he won the Stanley Cup.

"He’s their offensive catalyst, he gets everyone going," says Vlasic. "He runs the power play on the back end, he can shoot it really quickly, he’s got great skill. He’s fast, but he has great vision and sees the ice really well."

Jamie Benn

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GLENDALE, AZ - MARCH 29: Jamie Benn #14 of the Dallas Stars during the NHL game against the Phoenix Coyotes at Jobing.com Arena on March 29, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. The Coyotes defeated the Stars 2-1 in an overtime shoot out. (Photo by Christian Pete

With the trade of James Neal, Jamie Benn has had more ice time and experienced a serious breakout.

"He’s their best player of late—the hottest player right now," says Vlasic. "He works hard, he’s competitive, he can skate, shoot. He’s a shorthanded threat as you’ve seen against us."

Murray believes the 21-year-old forward is playing years above his age following the trade.

"[He’s] playing like an absolute elite player right now," says Murray.

Trevor Daley

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GLENDALE, AZ - MARCH 29: Trevor Daley #6 of the Dallas Stars passes the puck during the NHL game against the Phoenix Coyotes at Jobing.com Arena on March 29, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. The Coyotes defeated the Stars 2-1 in an overtime shoot out. (Photo

Perhaps one of the most underrated players in the Dallas lineup, Trevor Daley has consistently improved his numbers each year.

This year he already has career highs in goals (8), assists (19, tied) and points (27).

"He has really good feet. He skates well," says Murray, who is better known for his body checks than his swift skating. "[He] probably has a little more poise with the puck now than he did when he first came in.

"Same for any player: The longer you play the more comfortable you become making plays."

Boyle believes his skating ability allows him to jump into the rush at opportune times.

"He can skate, he sees the game real well, and he’s pretty young so he’s coming into his own," says the defenseman. "[He’ll] be around for a while and his skating will keep him at the top of his game."

Alex Goligoski

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GLENDALE, AZ - MARCH 01: Alex Goligoski #33 of the Dallas Stars in action during the NHL game against the Phoenix Coyotes at Jobing.com Arena on March 1, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. The Stars defeated the Coyotes 3-2. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty

Arriving from Pittsburgh at the trade deadline, Alex Goligoski has had four goals and 11 points since arriving in Texas.

"He’s one of those guys I didn’t really know too much about," said Boyle, who is now well-aware of Goligoski's ability since he arrived in the Pacific division.

"I like the way he handles himself out there. He likes to skate and is obviously putting up out there and he’s only going to get better."