Free from the burden of repeated playoff failures, the Dallas Stars had another reason to feel relieved Wednesday. Defenseman Sergei Zubov, out since January with various ailments, returned to practice and said he felt good afterward. That news improved his chances of playing against San Jose in the second-round series that starts Friday. (Updated 04/24/2008).
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 5/17/08).
Fantasy Analysis
At one point this season, the Stars thought they needed Zubov to have a chance in the playoffs. A foot injury sidelined him initially, and he aggravated a sports hernia from last year's playoffs when he tried to come back. In an effort to speed his recovery, Zubov recently went to Germany for his second sports hernia surgery in less than a year. "When I feel I can be effective, I'll be in there," he said Wednesday. "I'm almost there." There is some concern that this injury might linger into next season, but hopefully a few months of rest after the playoffs will cure Zubov. He will still be a high-end Fantasy defenseman come Draft Day 2008. (Updated 04/24/2008).
Zubov contributed on assist as the Stars eliminated the Sharks, 2-1, in a game that ended early Monday morning - the longest game in the NHL playoffs this season, and the longest in San Jose history. (Updated 05/05/2008)
Advice
Zubov returned to the Stars' lineup last Sunday, and has totaled a goal and three assists in five games since. The defenseman appeared in his 108th playoff games for Dallas, the third most in team history behind Mike Modano (167) and Neal Broten (115).
Free from the burden of repeated playoff failures, the Dallas Stars had another reason to feel relieved Wednesday. Defenseman Sergei Zubov, out since January with various ailments, returned to practice and said he felt good afterward. That news improved his chances of playing against San Jose in the second-round series that starts Friday. (Updated 04/24/2008).
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 5/17/08).
Fantasy Analysis
At one point this season, the Stars thought they needed Zubov to have a chance in the playoffs. A foot injury sidelined him initially, and he aggravated a sports hernia from last year's playoffs when he tried to come back. In an effort to speed his recovery, Zubov recently went to Germany for his second sports hernia surgery in less than a year. "When I feel I can be effective, I'll be in there," he said Wednesday. "I'm almost there." There is some concern that this injury might linger into next season, but hopefully a few months of rest after the playoffs will cure Zubov. He will still be a high-end Fantasy defenseman come Draft Day 2008. (Updated 04/24/2008).
