SoCal Stanley Cup Playoff Preview

Dallas at Anaheim, 7:30 pm

Western Conference quarterfinals

Stars lead, 3-1

ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) - The Dallas Stars are one win away from ousting the defending Stanley Cup champions from the postseason, the fifth-seeded Stars try to close out the best-of-seven series against the fourth-seeded Anaheim Ducks during Game Five on Friday.

Stu Barnes had a goal and an assist and Marty Turco made 28 saves as the Stars pushed the defending Stanley Cup champion Ducks to the brink of elimination Thursday with a 3-1 victory in Game Four. Not since the Detroit Red Wings won their second straight championship in 1998 has a team won back-to-back Stanley Cups in the NHL.

While many believed Anaheim had a chance to end the drought this postseason, Dallas is on the verge of ending the Ducks' hopes. "We're shocked (to be down three-games-to-one), not because we are the defending Stanley Cup champions but because we feel we have a good hockey team," said Anaheim goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere, who made 17 saves on Thursday. "It's disappointing now the situation we're in. "It's a challenge, but the reality is we have to win the next game. We can't think what it takes to win the series we have to think what it takes to win the next game."

Turco, who owns a 1.76 goals-against average and a .920 save percentage over the first four games of the series, stopped seven shots in the first period, 10 in the second and 11 in the third on Thursday. He came within eight seconds of his second shutout this postseason and the fifth of his playoff career before Ducks defenseman Mathieu Schneider spoiled the bid. "I just know it's going to be a big night every night," Turco said. "I expect to play well and feel well. It doesn't always go your way, but I just like my chances."

Despite Turco's strong play, the Stars realize it will be difficult to win a fourth game and eliminate the Ducks. "It's always tough, there's a lot more fight left in that group," Dallas center Mike Modano said. "It's not going to be (an) easy task." "We've had some success early, I think everybody is determined to make sure we stay grounded," Barnes said. "Guys have been good at staying focused."