A 2-0 record is good but ultimately says little about an NHL team’s long-term outlook. A closer look reveals that the Stars – who tend to keep a low profile in their nontraditional hockey market – are among the league’s most entertaining teams early.

AROUND THE PACIFIC

On the ice, they pulled out a 4-3 victory in overtime against the New Jersey Devils on Friday and a 5-4 shootout win over the New York Islanders on Saturday, both on the road.

Consider that last season Dallas went 7-10 in shootouts and 2-4 in overtime, and the inability to win a three-point game was a major factor in the Stars missing the playoffs. As far as omens go, winning back-to-back games in extra time classifies as “great.” So does the move shootout specialist Mike Ribeiro put on Rick DiPietro to clinch victory in Uniondale on Saturday.

But did Ribeiro celebrate too much?

He wasn’t keen on divulging the details of an incident at a sushi bar in Plano, Texas that led to his arrest on a charge of public intoxication Sunday. The Dallas Morning News linked to the report filed by Plano police on its Website; Ribeiro was one of three arrested for public intoxication and another man was arrested for public intoxication and assault.

"It's my personal life, and I'd like to keep it like that," Ribeiro told reporters Monday. "It's not a good situation, and I want to keep it personal right now and concentrate on hockey."

"We talked to Mike, and we just keep moving forward," Stars coach Marc Crawford said. "That's the best way to approach things. There's not much more that we can say about that."

 

Crawford’s troops are also moving forward without one of their leading scorers. Islanders defenseman James Wisniewski’s shook up Jamie Benn with this hit in the third period Saturday. Benn was held out of practice Monday for what Crawford said were “concussion like symptoms.” The 21-year-old posted 22 goals last season as a rookie.

 

The Ducks signed D Andreas Lilja to a one-year, $600,000 contract Sunday. The 35-year-old veteran was in the San Jose Sharks’ training camp on a pro tryout contract and flew with the team to Europe, whereupon he was cut just before the regular season. … The Kings moved rookie Andrei Loktionov to the top-line left wing position in practice Monday, one day before the team’s home opener against the Atlanta Thrashers. … Hall of Famer Luc Robitaille signed a multiyear contract extension, reportedly for three years, to remain the Kings’ President, Business Operations. Chris McGowan, who began in the Kings’ ticket-sales office in 1996, was promoted to Chief Operating Officer. … The Sharks assigned C Tommy Wingels to AHL affiliate Worcester on Monday. The 22-year-old made his NHL debut Friday against the Columbus Blue Jackets in Stockholm. … Phoenix split a pair of games with the Boston Bruins in Prague, Czech Republic, winning 5-2 and losing 3-0.

 

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