Belfour shuts down Avs

Dallas
Stars

"If you're going to win in the playoffs, your goaltender has to be your best player," Stars coach Ken Hitchcock said. "Eddie was our best player tonight. He was excellent."

Joe Nieuwendyk had a goal and two assists for the Stars, who dominated the game despite of being outshot 34-26.

"I thought we worked hard and kept the pressure into their end. If we can keep the puck down in their end, that's exactly what they don't want us do," Nieuwendyk said. "We have to play with the same attitude as we had tonight. We are making sacrifices. We had good chemistry tonight even though we changed lines."

Belfour made key saves in the scoreless first period facing a furious Avalanche attack.

"They came out strong and had a lot of chances right off the bat," Belfour said. "Our game is to play team defense. We cleared out our crease and kept their shots from the outside. We have to come out strong and get going early next game."

The Avalanche continued to struggle at home in the playoffs, falling to 2-5. They are 7-1 on the road.

"I think they're outsmarting us a little bit right now," Colorado center Peter Forsberg said. "They got the breaks that we're not getting, but I think overall, they're playing smarter than us."