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Happy Saturday, everyone! I sincerely hope that one of you (or me!) became very, very rich last night thanks to the $1 billion lottery. Let’s get to the game:
The first period came and went with nary a whimper. I missed the first couple minutes of it, but by the time I tuned in almost halfway through the period, the Dallas Stars had yet to register a shot. I noticed that Ben Bishop made some big saves, as he is wont to do. Here he is flashing the leather:
Ben Bishop is holding it down for the Stars in the first period. #GoStars pic.twitter.com/Wo0AKcdBQI
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) October 20, 2018
The second frame was also scoreless, though the Stars really turned it on again in the second with 24 shots in the period. Devan Dubnyk was up to the task, unfortunately, and made big save after big save to keep the Stars off the score sheet. Tyler Pitlick got stonewalled on a prime chance:
Duby is on fire pic.twitter.com/3kISYJ3iQO
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) October 20, 2018
Apparently the Stars used up all of their offensive juice in the middle frame and first minute of the third when Jason Spezza netted a goal on a deft deflection, because they really struggled to get anything going after that. They couldn’t seem to possess the puck, make crisp passes, or spend any extended time in the attacking zone at all, and the Minnesota Wild made them pay. Matt Dumba and Ryan Suter both scored for the Wild and Zach Parise put one in the empty net to give Minnesota a 3-1 victory over Dallas. The Stars play the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday, October 23.
Stars Stuff
Here’s Jim Montgomery on why Roope Hintz got the nod on the top line last night:
With Radulov doubtful for tonight's game, Monty wants Hintz on the top line to give Benn and Seguin some speed to play with. pic.twitter.com/uOOeGV6T1e
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) October 19, 2018
In case you need the skinny on why Alexander Radulov missed last night’s game:
Lower-body injury could keep Alexander Radulov out vs. Wildhttps://t.co/cimUpCUY7f
— Mark Stepneski (@StarsInsideEdge) October 19, 2018
Two points against the division in October is just as important as it is in March:
How important are divisional games for Stars? 'They're huge' https://t.co/sToObnZ6ec via @NHL
— Mike Heika (@MikeHeika) October 19, 2018
Unfortunately, this looks very familiar:
We're all sick of it but...here's the depth scoring situation across the NHL. Bad news: Stars are very low. Worse news: With the way the TOI for 5v5 has worked out, that data actually INCLUDES Jamie Benn. pic.twitter.com/yxywNnlMK1
— Jordan Dix (@jordan_dix) October 19, 2018
Razor found his soulmate:
Exhaustive search, but I found him. My one fan! #TannerRocks pic.twitter.com/YfbDRZPFeD
— Daryl Reaugh (@Razor5Hole) October 19, 2018
Around the League
The goalies are going to revolt!
Goalies are bruised and confused about the NHL's new gear restrictions. As Ben Bishop told me this week: "You honestly don't want to get hit in the arm. It hurts." My story on some pissed off netminders.https://t.co/jqn8oVkUVH
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) October 19, 2018
It is pretty funny how back in the day coaches were worried about guys staying out late and drinking and now they have like the same level of concern with players staying up late playing video games. That being said, Fortnite is very lame (sorry if you play it, but not really):
Nathan MacKinnon on @FortniteGame: "People just fish for things that don't matter. It's not going to help or hurt you if you play Fortnite. It's ridiculous people think it does." #Preach https://t.co/Aifhx0BiOo
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) October 19, 2018
Very cool story about a very cool story:
Hung out a bit yesterday with Ben Azegere as he attended his first NHL game. Here’s everything you want to know about that viral Tim Hortons video, the Kenyan ice hockey team & what’s next. “Anything is possible. And every dream is valid.” https://t.co/ppPM5VB7SP pic.twitter.com/b3Q6uQyL6W
— Emily Kaplan (@emilymkaplan) October 19, 2018
I generally like Matt Larkin’s stuff, but saying that a goalie will make or break a team’s season is some Trent Dilfer-level analysis:
Here's @THNMattLarkin on why Matt Murray will make or break the Pittsburgh Penguins' season: https://t.co/U0Wpc2SKGy pic.twitter.com/DvdZLQjOc9
— The Hockey News (@TheHockeyNews) October 19, 2018
I sense a theme on The Hockey News yesterday:
John Gibson is singlehandedly keeping the injury-ravaged Ducks from falling apart at the seams, writes @THNJaredClintonhttps://t.co/62zqu6zzIM pic.twitter.com/LDeFpU94qe
— The Hockey News (@TheHockeyNews) October 19, 2018
The Vegas Golden Knights gave Alex Tuch a shiny new deal:
SIGNING UPDATE: #GoldenKnights and forward Alex Tuch have agreed to a seven-year, $33.25 million extension that carries an AAV of $4.75 million (Via @JesseGranger_). https://t.co/xQwMthgguQ #TSNHockey pic.twitter.com/Vbc95MLaZ8
— SportsCentre (@SportsCentre) October 19, 2018
It’s probably a bit early to start drooling over some of these names yet, but here’s a little taste:
Top 25 UFAs: Different motivations make 2019 a fascinating (and surprisingly deep) class. By @CraigCustance
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) October 19, 2018
Lots of intriguing names potentially. If No. 10 leaves, it’ll be a sad day selfishly. Staal’s a class act from a beat writer perspective https://t.co/ZhsYr8ERNy
Down Goes Brown is back with another classic Friday Grab Bag. I don’t think I’ve ever read his Classic Youtube Clip Breakdown section without actually laughing out loud:
Friday Grab Bag: The McDavid vs. Matthews debate is dumb and that's OK so stop complaining about it. Plus when to boo a returning player, Gretzky's 50-in-39 and lots more. https://t.co/i7lKp5EcYF pic.twitter.com/cDBXKZymOd
— Down Goes Brown (@DownGoesBrown) October 19, 2018
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