DALLAS — The Blues are only 22 games into their 2009-2010 schedule. Put it another way: Andy Murray is just 22 games removed from finishing second in the voting for the NHL coach of the year (Jack Adams) award.

But as the team tries to break free of a .500 funk and satisfy expectations raised by last season's strong finish, questions are being asked and answers are being sought. In a sport where coaching changes can happen at a Gus Kyle-like pace — "early and often" — Murray accepts he is under the microscope.

Stranger things have happened. Denis Savard was fired in Chicago four games into last season. Bob Hartley was canned in Atlanta six games into a season and Barry Melrose was sent packing by Tampa Bay just 16 games after he left ESPN to coach the Lightning.

Sports in general, and maybe hockey in particular, have a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately texture where coaches are concerned. But, pardon the rhyme, Murray doesn't worry.

"I never have (worried about being replaced) and never will," said Murray, whose contract runs through next season. "What I worry about is how we're going to get that next win. You can worry so much about failure that it keeps you from thinking about the things you need to think about to be successful."

Murray coaxed the young Blues to a 25-9-7 record in the second half last season, which led the NHL. The team climbed from 15th place in the Western Conference to capture a No. 6 seed and return to the playoffs for the first time in five years.

However, the Blues were swept away in four games during the first round of the playoffs by the Vancouver Canucks, and only four teams in the 30-team league have fewer points at this stage of the season. The team is 5-8-1 at home and had scored the fewest goals in the NHL (50) before Wednesday's faceoff.

Before arriving in St. Louis, Murray coached the Los Angeles Kings from 1999-2006 and is the all-time franchise leader in wins (215) and games coached (480). Murray said, regardless of the circumstances, he will keep heading forward.

"Soon as that game was over the other night (a loss to Boston on Monday), I was fired up thinking about what a big game this could be in Dallas, and the reasons we could win this game, " Murray said.

STARS HONOR HULL

With the Blues in town, the Stars held a ceremony to honor Brett Andrew Hull before Wednesday's game. Recently inducted into the NHL Hall of Fame, Hull played three seasons in Dallas and was a key part of the Stars' 1999-2000 Stanley Cup winner.

The crowd roared as The "Golden Brett," now an executive with the Stars, walked out on the ice holding aloft the Stanley Cup. Among the people Hull recognized was Blues defenseman Darryl Sydor, who was his teammate in Dallas.

In attendance at Wednesday's game was Bob Berry, who coached in various capacities for the Blues from 1988 to 1996. Berry is now a scout for Los Angeles.