Next Victory Will Finally Put Murray in 500 Club

This has been an inch-by-inch drive to a moment that doesn’t mean much to Duck Coach Bryan Murray’s big picture.

With one more victory Murray will reach 500 for his coaching career, tying him with Toe Blake for seventh on the all-time list. Yet, there are other matters on his mind.

When the season began, Murray needed 16 victories for 500 and 32 losses to reach 400. He reached 400 losses Monday and is still awaiting 500.

When 500 will come is a guess. The Ducks play Dallas tonight, a long shot. On Saturday, they face Nashville, but that will be their second game in as many nights. St. Louis on Monday is unlikely. Columbus at home Wednesday is a possibility, except the Ducks are 0-3 against the Blue Jackets this season.

All of which shows the chore that has kept Murray too busy to worry about No. 500. In fact, when asked about the push for 500 a few weeks ago, his record wasn’t what jumped to mind.

“If we can just win a few games ... oh, 500 victories,” Murray said, thinking the question was about the Ducks getting their record to .500.

Murray grinned and added : “It seems to be taking forever now from the start of year.”

TONIGHT

at Dallas, 5:30, Fox Sports Net 2

Site--American Airlines Center.

Radio--XTRA (690).

Records--Ducks 15-29-6-3, Stars 23-17-6-4.

Record vs. Stars--0-0-1-0.

Update--The Stars, who have won five consecutive division titles, are struggling to catch San Jose. They are 2-3 in their last five games and are four points behind the Sharks.

Chris Foster