No Concern Over Modano

The Dallas Stars downplayed All-Star center Mike Modano leaving the 2-1 victory over the Ducks on Wednesday night.

Modano, the Stars’ leading scorer with 84 points, played only 6 minutes 43 seconds before suffering what team officials called a “lower-body injury.”

“If that’s a playoff game, he probably plays,” Dallas Coach Dave Tippett said.

The Stars will be without right wing Bill Guerin, who had thigh surgery, for their first-round playoff series.

Modano’s absence threw the Ducks off balance, said Coach Mike Babcock said.

“Once he left, I think some of our guys thought they lost their job,” he said.

“They didn’t seem to think they had a purpose.”

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This probably was goalie Martin Gerber’s last appearance for the season. Jean-Sebastien Giguere will start against Colorado on Friday and Babcock said, “I’ll use only one goalie in the playoffs ... Jiggy.”

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Duck right wing Dan Bylsma played his first game since Feb. 9.

He had missed 25 consecutive games and 32 of the last 34 games because of a bruised left knee.

-- Chris Foster