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The Dallas Stars had some ice-cold water poured on their preseason in Enterprise Center last night. The team stumbled out of the gate and never really recovered, dropping a 3-1 contest to bitter Central Division rivals the St. Louis Blues.
Head coach Jim Montgomery didn’t mince words, writes senior staff writer Mike Heika:
“We talk about being good with effort and execution, and if you have no effort, it doesn’t matter what you’re trying to accomplish or what your game plan is, you’re not going to be able to execute,” Montgomery said. “That was our poorest performance of the preseason, and we just have to get better. We can’t accept having that kind of effort.”
...
“We weren’t very good this morning at the morning skate, and it carried over,” Montgomery said. “If it wasn’t for Landon Bow, it would have been a bad, bad loss.”
Bow stopped 23 of 25 shots and kept the team in the game until the third period, when goal assassin Vladimir Tarasenko won empty-net roulette to put the game away for the Blues.
“It’s different traveling the same day and playing a game, but that’s shouldn’t be an excuse,” said Stars defenseman John Klingberg. “I think every game it’s been getting better. Maybe a setback today. We’ve got some stuff to work on, but it could be good to break it down on video and talk about it. So I think no panic at all.”
Mike has more. [Dallas Stars]
Stars Stories
Bow has to be happy about his chances not only to start in Cedar Park, but to be the first NHL call-up in goal. [Dallas Stars]
Will young talent enhance a run-and-gun game plan, or will lack of experience hobble the Stars as they try to make the playoffs? It would be irresponsible not to speculate.
The Hockey News’ 2018-19 Season Preview: Dallas Starshttps://t.co/5RZ1v6zRJB pic.twitter.com/HHC1rXBPJc
— The Hockey News (@TheHockeyNews) September 28, 2018
Around the League(s)
The #MurderDeathKill Division was relatively quiet last night, but the Central-on-Central violence continued as the Colorado Avalanche edged the Minnesota Wild 4-3. [Mile High Hockey]
Erik Karlsson picked up a point and led TOI in his first preseason game with the San Jose Sharks. Greg Wyshynski caught up with him in California.
Erik Karlsson is in San Jose. His heart is in Ottawa. My feature on the @SanJoseSharks star defenseman, the blockbuster trade and unanswered questions. #NHL https://t.co/2zcaMVao16
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) September 28, 2018
Preseason injuries mean major overhauls to fantasy rosters, too.
A huge update to the Top 200 Fantasy Rankings reflects injuries to Seth Jones, Corey Perry and much more. Read up before you tackle your fantasy draft:https://t.co/yXAkqebBeB pic.twitter.com/4yZD66KdSg
— The Hockey News (@TheHockeyNews) September 28, 2018
Can Miro Heiskanen outperform expectations for the 2019 Calder Trophy? [NHL]
Goalie equipment keeps evolving. Will it boost scoring, or just increase the chance of injury?
Chest protectors the latest piece of NHL goalie equipment to shrink https://t.co/6ohbBrgF1n pic.twitter.com/i0DZ2CSYxW
— Hockey Night in Canada (@hockeynight) September 29, 2018
Bob McKenzie’s podcast is back from summer break.
WELCOME BACK!
— TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) September 28, 2018
Bob McKenzie discusses his summer, his breakout #NHL player of the year, his Calder favourites and answers your questions in the Season 3 premiere of the #TSNHockey #Bobcast.
Subscribe/listen now on https://t.co/3Muj9vE519, @iTunes, @SoundCloud & @GooglePlay pic.twitter.com/QAtblDejPL
Greetings From Scenic Cedar Park
The Stars’ string of big net performances continues: Philippe Desrosiers earned a 28-save shutout as the Texas Stars took down the San Antonio Rampage to open the preseason.
The #txstars open the preseason with a 2-0 win over San Antonio.
— Texas Stars (@TexasStars) September 29, 2018
Read: https://t.co/0rx3gVoM5I pic.twitter.com/IHmOIRqMhe
Dillon Heatherington and Reece Scarlett are expected to begin a new season in Cedar Park tonight as the T-Stars/Rampage preseason continues.
#txstars to Receive Blue Line Reinforcements After Dallas Makes Moveshttps://t.co/ZH7pQ5z0zF pic.twitter.com/CC1CioqClg
— 100 Degree Hockey (@100degreehockey) September 27, 2018
Finally
After all these years, former Star Patrik Stefan may finally get to pass on the Cheese Touch. ...Enjoy?
Is this empty-net miss worse than Patrik Stefan’s? https://t.co/kkzkMxh5l8 pic.twitter.com/L5GjnYv44z
— BarDown (@BarDown) September 28, 2018