Bishop not focused on impressive stats, just winning

Stars goaltender Ben Bishop is on a roll.
Over his last nine starts, the two-time Vezina Trophy finalist has posted a 7-2-0 record, 1.34 goals against average and .958 save percentage, stopping 276 of 288 shots. Impressive numbers.

And the numbers have been more impressive recently with just one goal allowed in his last three starts, including back-to-back shutouts this week against the New York Rangers and Colorado Avalanche, the first time he's blanked the opposition in consecutive games in his NHL career.
"My first time ever? It takes 32 years apparently," Bishop joked when asked what it takes to achieve consecutive shutouts. "It's something that's always eluded me I guess. I don't worry about it; I just want to get the wins. Obviously, the shutouts are nice, but the wins are more important."
The wins are coming for both Bishop and the Stars right now. The Stars have won four straight, the last three with Bishop in net allowing just one goal on 89 shots.

"Ben Bishop has done everything we could ask of him," Stars coach Jim Montgomery said after the team picture was taken Friday at American Airlines Center.
"He's stopped pucks, he's steered pucks to corners when he can, swallow up the rebounds like he is so good at, and breaking pucks out. Most importantly, I think the team in front of him has been really sound as well. You combine those two things, us playing really well without the puck and him playing at the top of his game, and you give up one goal in three games."
Despite the recent run, Bishop hasn't seen a change in his play recently.
"I feel the same all season. I don't feel like I am tracking pucks better or worse," Bishop said. "There's a little bit of luck that's involved. You get pucks that are bouncing your way, a couple of big blocks by guys, no pucks going off guys and in. You've just got to ride the trends. It's a long year, and I am a big believer in the law of averages. When things aren't going your way, it's just a matter of time before you get bounces.
"The team is playing really well in front of us and giving us a chance to be successful."
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Rock-solid goaltending has been a constant for the Stars this season with Bishop and Anton Khudobin.
The Stars rank first in the league in high-danger save percentage (.862), according to naturalstattrick.com. They rank second in standard save percentage in all game situations (.920) and third in 5-on-5 save percentage (.934). The Stars are third in the league in goals against (2.54) and have allowed the third fewest 5-on-5 goals (111).
Like Montgomery, Bishop credits the guys in front of him and Khudobin. The Stars rank in the bottom half of the league in shots allowed, but they rank in the top ten in the league when it comes to giving up the fewest high-danger chances during 5-on-5 play. Naturalstattrick.com ranks the Stars eighth best in that category and hockeyreference.com has them ninth.
"I think Monty does a good job of preparing us defensively. We don't really give up too many odd-man rushes," Bishop said. "We do a good job of keeping guys in front of us. We don't give up too many of those, and the guys do a good job of blocking out, there aren't too many rebound goals and second and third chances.
"When you limit the odd-man rush and clean up the front of your net, you are usually successful."

For the season, Bishop is 22-14-2 and ranks second in both goals against average (2.13) and save percentage (.930). His five shutouts are tied for third. The save percentage is the best of his career, and the goals against average is the second best. Bishop said he doesn't compare those numbers between seasons.
"Just the wins," he said. "I don't care too much about the other numbers. The wins are the big thing. Once you get into the playoffs, you could care less about the stats, it's just about getting the wins. No matter how you do it. I am a firm believer if you are winning you are going to have better stats."
Still, those impressive stats this season have once again put Bishop in the conversation for the Vezina, which goes to the league's top goaltender. He was a finalist for the award in 2013-14 and 2015-16.
"I would love to win one, yeah, absolutely," Bishop said. "I've had the honor of being nominated twice. The big thing is you don't think about it. You have to take it one game at a time. Even when you get close to the end of the season, if you are having a good season, if you start thinking about it with five or ten games left is when you start slipping.
"Once you start taking a look at the big picture is when you get into trouble. I don't think about it. At the end of the year, it's not up to you. You just want to win. I'd much rather have the Stanley Cup than any of those other trophies."

Montgomery leaning toward Khudobin vs. Chicago

Bishop may be red-hot in net, but that doesn't mean Montgomery is going to keep riding him. Anton Khudobin has been playing well, and Montgomery is considering starting Khudobin Saturday against Chicago (7 p.m. CT; FS-SW; KTCK).
"Dobby has won his last two games, and Dobby hasn't gotten a lot of home starts," Montgomery said. "Dobby played great against Chicago and Chicago is not a dump-in team. Leaning towards playing Dobby against Chicago and having Bish on the road."
After Saturday's game against the Blackhawks, the Stars have road games at Buffalo and Minnesota next week.

Faksa's status to be determined

Center Radek Faksa, who missed Thursday's game with a neck injury, took part in the team's optional skate Friday at American Airlines Center. His status for Saturday is up in the air.
"He looks crisp. He's feeling good right now," Montgomery said. "But It's one of those things where it's the first time he's after it on the ice, so we'll have to see how he feels when he comes back [Saturday] morning."

Zuccarello takes step forward in recovery

Forward Mats Zuccarello, who underwent surgery for a broken arm last week, was on the ice skating this afternoon at the AAC as well.
"Yes, definitely [it is a step forward]," Montgomery said. "It's more just skating shape though. He's not able to handle pucks right now. That's part of the process. It's a good step to see him on the ice."

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club.
Mark Stepneski has covered the Stars for DallasStars.com since 2012. Follow him on Twitter @StarsInsideEdge.