Devils Dim Stars

Dallas
Stars

"We're playing pretty good hockey right now," Patrik Elias said. "We're confident, we're making the right plays, we're good positional hockey. We're skating well and we're putting the puck behind the goalies."

The Stars' goalie Ed Belfour, who was invincible against Colorado, was pulled in the third period after surrendering 6 goals on only 18 shots.

"For whatever reason, we have played games like this," said Stars coach Ken Hitchcock. "The only difference between 7-3 and 4-3 has been Belfour. We have had a couple of performances from our team like this and we have always bounced back with a good performance."

The Devils totally dominated the game, building a 7-1 lead before relaxing a little too early and allowing the Stars to score two goals in a 12-second span in the third period.

"We have to maintain our composure," Ken Daneyko said. "This is one hockey game. This means we're up one game, that's all. It doesn't matter how we won, 2-1 or 7-3. We're realistic about it. It's one game and it doesn't get you nothing. We've got a lot of guys in this room who realize that."

Daneyko, Scott Stevens and Sergei Brylin also scored for New Jersey, who outshot Dallas 26-18.

"We had some goals squeak through there for a change, and our guys were skating well," Devils coach Larry Robinson said. "But I don't consider this a 7-3 game. I've seen Dallas come back before, and we're in for a game Thursday."

Dallas suffered numerous defensive lapses in a very uncharacteristic style. Stars' captain Derian Hatcher suffered a knee injury, but Hitchcock expects him not to miss any games.

Game 2 of the Stanley Cup finals is on Thursday at New Jersey.