Dallas Stars Daily Links: Curtis McKenzie’s Eye Injury Will Cause Him to Miss Time

There are only 5 games left in the regular season for the Dallas Stars and an end to a miserable season that has been filled with injuries. The latest came in Thursday’s game when Curtis McKenzie took an inadvertent high stick to his eye.

"He has a deep gash around his eye, but right now it doesn't look like there is any permanent eye damage," said Stars GM Jim Nill. "But they will know more once the swelling goes down."

He has been advised to have no activity for 5 days so it will be doubtful if he returns to the lineup before the season ends.

"No activity for the next five days and then we'll go from there," Nill said. "There's not a lot of time left here. We'll play it by ear. We'll see if he plays again [this season] or not."

More here. (Stars Inside Edge)

Ales Hemsky also left the game Thursday with a hip injury to offset the subtractions from the lineup Dallas recalled forwards Justin Dowling and Gemel Smith from the Texas Stars. Both Dowling and Smith made their NHL debuts this season. (Texas Stars)

The Stars travel to North Carolina to face the Carolina Hurricanes, who have been on a roll lately with at least a point in their last 13 games (9-0-4). An early start time of 6 pm for this one and at least Razor and Luds will have the call. Mark Stepneski with the preview. (Stars Inside Edge)

Hall of Famer Mike Modano getting some love from Labatt Blue:

Texas Stars/AHL:

The Texas Stars were a little shorthanded at the forward position after the latest call ups. Caleb Hebert scored the 1st successful penalty shot of the season, for the team, but it wasn’t enough as they fell to the Rockford IceHogs (Chicago) 3-1 last night. (100 Degree Hockey)

Thursday the team added Reid Sturos on an ATO:

Tucson RoadRunners Captain Craig Cunningham who had one legs amputated after collapsing before the game started, this season, was able to skate yesterday.

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2 more teams made it into the playoffs last night. The final spot up for grabs in the Western Conference is between Los Angeles and Nashville.

Antti Niemi knows how Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist feels after Sidney Crosby banks a goal off the back of Lundqvist head last night.

A look at 5 candidates for this season’s Hart trophy and how much each player helps his team. (Sportsnet)

Flames coach Glen Gultzan had a little talk with rookie Matthew Tkachuk after his shenanigans Wednesday night with the Kings. Tkachuk antics caused them to lose the game. (Calgary Sun)

Wayne Gretzky’s “office” was behind the net where he could set people up with passes. Now another player has an office. The left faceoff circle is Alex Ovechkin’s office and most teams cannot stop his one timers even when they know they are coming. (Washington Post)

Some players recall what was the nastiest thing said to them by fans. (ESPN)

Last season none of the 7 Canadian teams made the playoffs and and it has been since 1993 since one has won the Stanley Cup. Which teams have the best shot this year to end that drought. (The Hockey News)

One Hockey writer doesn’t think it will benefit the NHL with the NFL Raiders moving to Las Vegas. (FanRag Sports)

With the Red Wings missing the playoffs for the 1st time in 25 years don’t expect them to go into full rebuild mode. (THN)

The American Women’s team got off to a fine start in their World Championship defense beating Canada 2-0 last night. Expect the 2 teams to meet up again in the finals. Since 1990 US and Canada are the only 2 teams to compete in the Gold medal game. (Yahoo Sports)

Vegas Golden Knights Reid Duke needs some teammates.

Finally Brett Burns got a marriage proposal from a young fan. She settled for a puck instead.