Dallas Stars Daily Links: The Stars Are Falling Fast

Is The Process the problem? The Dallas Stars’ bad streak continued with a 4-0 matinee loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Canadian Thanksgiving. Their fecklessness has left both fans and experts searching for answers.

Head coach Jim Montgomery and his system got much of the credit for the Stars’ playoffs-worthy performance last season. But the system is looking decidedly threadbare as the team struggles to execute what passes for a game plan, writes Sean Shapiro:

Montgomery doesn’t coach on results — he’s made that abundantly clear throughout the season. The process and how the team is playing are the most important things.

That approach works well when a team is actually winning games from time to time. But as the Stars fall deeper into a hole, results have to matter. The way a coach views effort or execution isn’t measured into playoff standings.

It doesn’t help that the team’s best players have become part of the issue:

[John] Klingberg is the best example of that after he was called for hooking in the first period on Monday. Last season, Klingberg committed six minor penalties in 64 games. Through seven games this season, he’s already committed four infractions.

In Klingberg’s case — and this also applies to several other players — it’s been more of a case of getting caught out of position and chasing the game. When a player does that, he ends up getting forced to hold or use his stick to hold off a scoring chance.

There’s more behind the paywall. [The Athletic DFW]

Stars Stuff

The Stars know they’re bad at managing games right now. What will they do about it?

“I thought we skated and competed tonight”: Monty with the media.

Around The League(s)

#Death In The Afternoon

Can you believe all those afternoon games, as if anyone actually got a day off?

• The Chicago Blackhawks grabbed their first win of 2019-20 with a 3-1 victory over the Edmonton Oilers and a 27-save performance from Corey Crawford. [Second City Hockey]
• The Minnesota Wild broke their own duck by shutting out the Ottawa Senators 2-0, with Victor Rask getting the GWG on his first tally of the season. [Hockey Wilderness]
• The St. Louis Blues dropped a 3-2 overtime decision after a stunning late third-period rally by the New York Islanders. [St. Louis Game Time]
• And the Colorado Avalanche remain undefeated after a 6-3 thumping of the Washington Capitals in their first road game. [Mile High Hockey]

It could be worse. You could be a New Jersey Devils fan.

It’s always never too early to start looking at the next NHL Draft. Prospect maven Corey Pronman has some thoughts.

Thank the hockey gods for Roope Hintz, at least....

Meanwhile, the CBC is thankful for Wayne Gretzky on a fortuitous anniversary.

Also at HNIC: more goalies-are-voodoo fun courtesy of the Calgary Flames’ David Rittich.

Greetings From Scenic Cedar Park (and Beautiful Boise)

ICYMI, the Texas Stars had a better holiday weekend than their NHL counterparts, defeating the Iowa Wild 2-1.

Elsewhere, the Idaho Steelheads are going all out for their season opener this Friday.

Finally

Here is a picture of Tyler Seguin as the very young captain of the Whitby Wildcats. Have a better one.