Brett Hull must have been pulling everyone’s leg when he claimed that he didn’t know about his pulled abdominal muscle.
Otherwise, his coach had lied when he informed the media that his star right wing might consider surgery at the end of the season.
Either way, it was another example of Hull and Ken Hitchcock seeing things differently.
But at least they agreed on one crucial fact heading into Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals last night: Hull needed an explosive performance. And that’s exactly what he provided.
Hull, a 35-year old veteran, came through with two goals, including the game-winner with 4:16 left in the third period, to carry the Stars to a 2-1 win at a deflated Meadowlands Arena. It was Hull’s 21st game winning playoff goal, second only to Wayne Gretzky’s 24.
Hull and the Stars tied the series at 1-1, as they shoot to Dallas for Game 3 tomorrow at Reunion Arena.
“I think Hully deserves a lot of credit,” said Hitchcock said. “He is a committed guy. He’s committed to this team.
“He’s just made so many believers of all of us in the playoffs. It is great to see.”
Hull’s two goals gave him a league-high 11 in the playoffs. It was his 15th career multi-goal playoff game, which moves him into sixth place, passing his father Bobby’s mark of 14.
After the Stars’ 7-3 shellacking in Game 1, Hull said how important last night’s victory was.
“I think it just gives everybody in our room a big boost in the arm,” he said. “It was one thing to lose, but you only get credit for one no matter how bad it is. We knew that we had to play a great game to come out with a split. I think the rest of the games of the series are going to be very similar to tonight.”
Hull gave the Stars a 1-0 lead 4:25 into the game on a wrist shot from the top of the left circle for his first point of the series. He was all alone on the play, once again showing his innate talent of getting open.
“He’s a guy who gets into position and he’s got probably the best shot in the league,” Devils defenseman Ken Daneyko said.
Said Stars left wing Mike Keane, “Hully’s a big-game player.”
Hull said he had spoken with linemate Mike Modano before the game.
“Things had to change,” said Hull, who had 24 goals during the regular season. “Everybody pulled up their pants and went at it.”