Editing Dallas Stars (section)

====2005–2008: Return from lockout, 2008 Western Conference finals run====
Coming out of the [[2004–05 NHL lockout|owners' lockout]] that cancelled the entire [[2004–05 NHL season|2004–05 season]], the Stars remained one of the strongest teams in the Western Conference for the start of [[2005–06 NHL season|2005–06]], as they won four of their first five games on the way to a solid October. November would be even better for Dallas, as they won 10 of 13 games and took over first place in the Pacific Division, a position they would hold most of the season, as they went on to finish with a terrific record of 53–23–6. One reason for the Stars' success was their strong play in shootouts, as forward [[Jussi Jokinen]] was nearly automatic, making 10-of-13 shot attempts. Also performing strongly in shootouts was Sergei Zubov, who used a slow-but-steady backhand to go 7-for-12, as the Stars ultimately won 12 of 13 games that were settled by a shootout. As the number two seed in the Western Conference, the Stars faced the seventh-seeded Colorado Avalanche. The Stars were favorited to win the Western Conference, and some even predicted them to win the Stanley Cup. However, the Stars would stumble right from the start, losing game 1 by a score of 5–2 as the Avalanche scored five unanswered goals after the Stars jumped out to a promising 2–0 lead. Game 2 would see the Stars suffer another setback at home, as the Stars lost in overtime 5–4 on a goal by [[Joe Sakic]]. On the road in game 3, the Stars led 3–2 in the final minute before the Avalanche forced overtime on a goal by [[Andrew Brunette]], while [[Alex Tanguay]] won the game just 69 seconds into overtime to put the Stars in a 3–0 hole. The Stars would avoid the sweep with a 4–1 win in game 4, but overtime would doom them again in game 5, as Andrew Brunette scored the series winner at 6:05, ending the Stars' playoffs hopes after just five games.

Following the previous season's disappointing first-round playoff loss at the hands of the seventh-seeded Avalanche, the Stars made a number of changes during the 2006 off-season. Former Stars goalkeeper Andy Moog was promoted to assistant general manager for player development (he kept his job as goaltending coach) and former player [[Ulf Dahlén|Ulf Dahlen]] was hired as an assistant coach. The Stars allowed center Jason Arnott, defenseman [[Willie Mitchell (ice hockey)|Willie Mitchell]] and goaltender [[Johan Hedberg]] to leave as [[free agents]]. Forward [[Niko Kapanen]] was traded to the [[Atlanta Thrashers]] and the remaining two years on fan-favorite [[winger (ice hockey)|right winger]] [[Bill Guerin]]'s contract were bought out. The Stars also received [[Patrik Štefan|Patrik Stefan]] and [[Jaroslav Modrý|Jaroslav Modry]] in the Atlanta trade, and signed [[Eric Lindros]], [[Jeff Halpern]], [[Matthew Barnaby]] and [[Darryl Sydor]] as free agents. Young goaltender [[Mike Smith (ice hockey, born 1982)|Mike Smith]] was promoted to the NHL to serve as Marty Turco's backup. During the season, key future pieces – center [[Mike Ribeiro]] and defenseman [[Mattias Norström|Mattias Norstrom]] – were added through separate trades. Young players [[Joel Lundqvist]], [[Krys Barch]], [[Nicklas Grossmann]] and [[Chris Conner]] all saw significant ice time while other players were out of the lineup with injuries.

[[File:Modano Record Goal.jpg|thumb|[[Mike Modano]] scoring his 500th goal on November 7, 2007, against the [[San Jose Sharks]]. He was the second American-born player to reach the milestone.]]
On September 29, 2006, [[Brenden Morrow]] was announced as new team captain, taking the role over from Mike Modano, who had served as the incumbent since 2003.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?id=2607771 |title=Morrow replaces Modano as Stars captain – NHL |publisher=ESPN |date=September 29, 2006 |access-date=September 16, 2011 |archive-date=November 5, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105203743/http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=2607771 |url-status=live}}</ref> On March 13, 2007, Modano scored his 500th career NHL goal, making him only the 39th player and second American to ever reach the milestone. On March 17, Modano scored his 502nd and 503rd NHL goals, breaking the record for an American-born player, previously held by [[Joe Mullen]].

On January 24, 2007, the [[2007 National Hockey League All-Star Game|NHL All-Star Game]] was held at [[American Airlines Center]]. Defenseman [[Philippe Boucher]] and goaltender Marty Turco would represent the Stars as part of the Western Conference All-Star roster. The Stars qualified for the playoffs as the sixth seed in the Western Conference and squared off against the Vancouver Canucks in the first round. Marty Turco delivered three shutout wins in games 2, 5 and 6, but the Stars' offense failed to capitalize and they lost the series in seven games, the third season in a row that they lost in the first round.

In the [[2007 NHL entry draft]], the Stars drafted the relatively unknown [[Jamie Benn]] 129th overall. After starting a lackluster 7–7–3 in the [[2007–08 NHL season|2007–08 season]], general manager [[Doug Armstrong]] was fired by the team.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?id=3108257 |title=Armstrong fired after 7–7–3 start; Hull, Jackson named interim GMs – NHL |publisher=ESPN |date=November 14, 2007 |access-date=September 16, 2011 |archive-date=November 5, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105203753/http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=3108257 |url-status=live}}</ref> He was replaced by an unusual "co-general manager" arrangement of former assistant GM [[Les Jackson (ice hockey)|Les Jackson]] and former Stars player Brett Hull. On November 8, 2007, Mike Modano became the top American born point scorer of all time, finishing off a shorthanded breakaway opportunity on San Jose Sharks goaltender [[Evgeni Nabokov]].<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-nov-08-sp-nhl8-story.html | work=Los Angeles Times | title=Modano sets scoring mark in Dallas' victory | date=November 8, 2007 | access-date=May 2, 2010 | archive-date=February 12, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120212004126/http://articles.latimes.com/2007/nov/08/sports/sp-nhl8 | url-status=live}}</ref>

On February 26, 2008, just hours before the trade deadline, the Stars traded for All-Star center [[Brad Richards]] from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for backup goaltender Mike Smith and forwards Jussi Jokinen and Jeff Halpern.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?id=3265543 |title=Richards gets new start, goes to Dallas in 5-player deal – NHL |publisher=ESPN |date=February 27, 2008 |access-date=September 16, 2011 |archive-date=November 5, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105203759/http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=3265543 |url-status=live}}</ref> The Stars rallied to a final record of 45–30–7 and qualified for the playoffs as the fifth seed, matching up with the defending Stanley Cup champion, the Anaheim Ducks, in the first round.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/standings/_/year/2008 |title=2007–08 NHL Preseason Conference Standings – National Hockey League |publisher=ESPN |access-date=September 16, 2011 |archive-date=September 28, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928140922/http://espn.go.com/nhl/standings/_/year/2008 |url-status=live}}</ref> After a rough end to the season, only winning two games in March of that year, the Stars shocked everyone by winning the first two games of the series in Anaheim, and then would go on to finish off the Ducks in six games, their first playoff series win since 2003. In the second round, the Stars matched up with the Pacific Division champion San Jose Sharks. Once again, the Stars surprised everyone by winning the first two games of the series on the road. In game 2, Brad Richards tied an NHL record by recording four points in the third period.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/feature/?id=30 |title=Playoff Records – Individual |publisher=The Sports Network |access-date=September 16, 2011 |archive-date=September 10, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110910221655/http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/feature/?id=30 |url-status=live}}</ref> The Stars would then take a 3–0 series lead after a Mattias Norstrom overtime goal in game 3. After the Sharks staved off elimination with back to back wins in games 4 and 5, captain Brenden Morrow finished the Sharks off in game 6 with a powerplay goal nearly halfway into the fourth overtime, a moment nicknamed "Cinco De Morrow" by Stars fans as game 6 ended in the early morning hours of the [[Cinco De Mayo]] holiday on May 5.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/recap?gameId=280504009 |title=San Jose Sharks vs. Dallas Stars – Recap – May 04, 2008 |publisher=ESPN |date=May 4, 2008 |access-date=September 16, 2011 |archive-date=November 5, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105203816/http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/recap?gameId=280504009 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The win sent the Stars to their first conference finals since 2000, where they met the powerhouse Detroit Red Wings. After falling behind in the series 3–0, the Stars made a series of it winning games 4 and 5 before ultimately being ousted by the Red Wings in six games.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/recap?gameId=280519009 |title=Detroit Red Wings vs. Dallas Stars – Recap – May 19, 2008 |publisher=ESPN |date=May 19, 2008 |access-date=September 16, 2011 |archive-date=November 5, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105203824/http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/recap?gameId=280519009 |url-status=dead}}</ref>