Dallas Stars Daily Links: Will Winning Analytics Lead to Winning Games?

The Dallas Stars have looked great on paper in their first two games. Unfortunately, it hasn’t helped them win games, yet.

Stars fans know this song, but The Dallas Morning News’ Mike Heika provided another refrain last night:

After two games, Dallas leads the NHL in shots on goal (43.0 per game), fewest shots on goal against (25.5 per game) and shot differential (plus-17.5 per game). If you like the puck possession game, then all of this is going exactly as you planned.

...

Dallas has faced two hot goalies in losses to the Golden Knights and Blues and has been able to muster just three goals in two games. They also have had defensive breakdowns, so the concern level is quite high.

But it’s not high enough at this early stage to change the game plan drastically, says Ken Hitchcock:

"It's stay on task, trust in our work, don't get frustrated because things haven't gone our way, don't get impatient," Hitchcock said. "When you're learning, it seems you have to run into these walls."

There’s more at Mike’s place. [SportsDayDFW]

More Stars

Yesterday’s breaking news was that forward Adam Cracknell has been put on waivers.

By the time you read this, you may already know whether or not he’s cleared.

What needs to happen tomorrow against the Detroit Red Wings? For starters, the Stars need more composure in their own zone, says Hitch.

If you had the stomach to stare directly at Tyler Seguin’s lacerated ankle, perhaps you’d like a look at Ben Bishop’s post-puck eyebrow. (Yes, that was a content warning.) [Twitter]

And speaking of staying composed, Marc Methot stresses the importance of keeping calm and trusting the coach.

Around the leagues

The NHL scheduled 15 games on Saturday night, which means some hockey fans probably went through actual withdrawal symptoms when the only game in town yesterday was the New York Rangers vs. the Montreal Canadiens. Henrik Lundqvist made 34 saves to earn the 2-0 shutout. [NHL]

Washington Capitals forward Nathan Walker became the first Australian hockey player to score an NHL goal during the Caps’ 6-1 victory over the Habs on Saturday. [NBC Sports]

Patrick Marleau’s son Landon is only 11, but Leafs teammate Nazem Kadri jokes that the youngster already has a harder shot than he does.

With the NHL staying home for the 2018 Winter Olympics, international players have a chance to shine in PyeongChang.

Also at Sportsnet: Gare Joyce writes about Auston Matthews and his transition from teenage phenomenon to the 20-year-old face of the Toronto Maple Leafs. [Sportsnet]

And from eliminating bluelines to stationing a referee in the press box, The Hockey News rounds up eight unconventional ways to “make hockey great again.” [THN]

Greetings From Scenic Cedar Park

Prospect defender Chris Martenet is on his way to Boise as the Texas Stars update their roster.

Finally

The Vegas Golden Knights and Arizona Coyotes know you’re not a real hockey team unless you have A RIVALRY and maybe a burger, but at least one RIVALRY. They asked Twitter to name theirs, and Twitter responded. A lot. Enjoy.