Dallas Stars Daily Links: Going Hard and Coming Home

The Dallas Stars are still fighting for a 2018 Stanley Cup playoff spot, and the Central Division won’t make it easy for them. However, Thursday’s 2-0 victory over the Los Angeles Kings showcased the kind of play that could see them through, writes The Dallas Morning News’ Mike Heika.

The team begins a five-game home stand with tonight’s match against the Winnipeg Jets at 6pm CST. They’ll have to play hard in every one of them. Tyler Seguin, who finally broke the seal on Jonathan Quick in L.A., says he’s ready:

“Hitch has come in, and he’s evolved my game,” Seguin said. “But really, he’s just given me an opportunity, so I want to keep earning that and keep doing my job ...and keep being a first-line center.”

Head coach Ken Hitchcock adds that Seguin and captain Jamie Benn are stamping their authority at the right moment, too:

“Both him and Jamie are starting to take control of the hockey club. They’re taking control on the ice. They’re taking control in the locker room, on the bench,” Hitchcock said after the win over the Kings. “That’s good stuff, that’s what we need.

Mike has more. [SportsDayDFW]

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More Stars

Seguin set another milestone with his game-winning goal against the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday.

Mark Stepneski shares some more Segs notes from Stars PR. Check his @StarsInsideEdge Twitter feed for an official preview of today’s game.

Scott Burnside talked with Martin Hanzal, Ben Bishop, and Kari Lehtonen about their past experiences of being dealt at the NHL trade deadline.

And Stars ultra-prospect Miro Heiskanen shows up on a list of Olympians who look ready to start in the NHL. [ESPN]

Around the League(s)

All You Need Is #Kill

• The Minnesota Wild defeated the New York Rangers 4-1 – and moved into third place in the Central, a single point ahead of the Stars. [Hockey Wilderness]
• The Jets and the St. Louis Blues brought the Central-on-Central violence, and Winnipeg rode a three-goal first period to a 4-0 victory. [NHL]
• The Chicago Blackhawks got a 42-save performance from Jean-Francois Berube and a 3-1 home win over the San Jose Sharks. [Second City Hockey]

Auston Matthews will miss tonight’s Toronto Maple Leafs - Boston Bruins game with a shoulder injury sustained during Thursday’s victory over the New York Islanders. [Pension Plan Puppets]

We Have a Trade (Deadline)

The Pittsburgh Penguins have acquired Ottawa Senators center Derick Brassard in a three-team “win now” trade that also sends forward Ryan Reaves to the Vegas Golden Knights. [Pensburgh]

The Isles have locked up Josh Bailey before he can test free agency. The All-Star forward got a six-year, $30 million deal.

Who won the first trade in history between the New York Rangers and the New Jersey Devils? James O’Brien thinks the Michael Grabner deal was good enough for both. [NHL on NBC]

2018 Winter Olympics Action

Germany stunned Canada 4-3 in the men’s hockey semifinals and will meet the Olympic Athletes from Russia (OAR) in the gold medal game. Watch it live tonight at 9:30pm CST on NBCSN.

Ryan Kennedy adds this prospect note:

Should the IIHF have reprimanded Canada’s Jocelyne Larocque for refusing to wear her silver medal during the women’s awards ceremony? Ken Campbell thinks they should start with penalizing Sweden’s Lias Andersson for tossing his World Juniors medal into the stands. [The Hockey News]

Greetings From Scenic Cedar Park

The Texas Stars got off to a good start on the first night of a back-to-back with a 3-1 win over the Milwaukee Admirals. [100 Degree Hockey]

It was a big night for Mike McKenna, who racked up his 218th win and now ranks among the AHL’s top 10 of all time.

Tonight’s game begins at 7pm CST in H-E-B Center, and it’s Pucks ’N Paws Night. Pick up a free T-Stars dog placemat and even bring your best friend with the purchase of a Pooch Pass. You can also donate supplies from the Texas Humane Heroes wish list to help homeless pets in the Austin area.

Finally

Former teammates Jordan Eberle (CAN) and Leon Draisaitl (GER) posted a Twitter exchange for the ages after yesterday’s Olympic upset. Watch for Eberle’s 10-point reference to an old Berlitz commercial – and enjoy.