If everything had gone according to plan yesterday, the Stars would’ve claimed the Central Division crown and clinched the No. 1 playoff seed in the West. Unfortunately, the team’s best-laid plans went awry. The Blues pulled off a regulation win over the Avs, and the Ducks scored two shorthanded goals to defeat the Stars 3-1.
Mike Heika broke down the game, which was one that John Klingberg would probably like to forget.
In a game where the Stars had the upper hand, John Klingberg pretty much gave it away. The second-year defenseman twice made foolish plays as he quarterbacked the power play in the second period.
Klingberg first lost the puck and had to be bailed out by Patrick Sharp skating back to knock the puck away. Klingberg then retrieved the loose puck that Sharp knocked away, skated up ice and threw an inexplicable, blind, behind-the-back pass at the offensive blue line.
“That was just a sloppy play by me,” Klingberg said. “It’s 0-0 in a game and you make that play and it could cost you the division and the conference title…it was a stupid play by me.”
Adding insult to injury, the Stars allowed a second shorthanded goal—their league-leading 15th this season—in the third period. The tally stood as the game-winner after Radek Faksa lit the lamp with 1:28 to play. For more on the loss, head to the link. [SportsDayDFW]
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Over at The Hockey News, Ken Campbell’s profile of Jamie Benn from the March 7 issue is now online. It includes this quote from Jordie Benn, which seems like something other teams might want to keep in mind come playoff time.
“He’s the type of person that you want to keep quiet,” Jordie said. “You don’t want to wake him up. If you wake him up and piss him off, then it’s over for everybody. He’ll run you over. He’s a beast if you piss him off.”
Sunday #longread — Jamie Benn has kept a low profile in Dallas, but there’s no denying he’s one of the NHL’s best: https://t.co/GYT15cAker
— The Hockey News (@TheHockeyNews) April 3, 2016
After scoring one goal in his first 36 games this season, Radek Faksa is finally hitting his stride. [SportsDayDFW]
The Blues‘ decision of whether to start Jake Allen or Brian Elliott in the playoffs may not be so tough now—Allen left St. Louis’ 5-1 win over the Avalanche last night with a lower-body injury. [Sportsnet]
Besides the Blues’ win (which left Patrick Roy unhappy), here’s what else went down in the Central last night…
- The Blackhawks beat the Bruins 6-4, thanks to a Patrick Kane hat trick. [Second City Hockey]
- The Jets blew out the Wild 5-1 to give Minnesota its third straight loss. [Star Tribune]
Todd McLellan was, uh, not too happy with the performance that the Oilers put on in a 5-0 loss to the Flames on Saturday night. [Puck Daddy]
NHL.com’s Dan Rosen says the Steven Stamkos-less Lightning should call up Jonathan Drouin. [NHL]
Nazem Kadri has a date with the NHL’s disciplinarians.
Toronto’s Nazem Kadri will have a hearing tomorrow for cross-checking Detroit’s Luke Glendening.
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) April 3, 2016
What happened to the Flames this season? After finishing last year with 97 points, they’re on track to close out this campaign with just 74. [Puck Daddy]
A second-round pick of the Blue Jackets in 2007, Stefan Legein shares his story. [The Hockey News]
Pavel Datsyuk‘s agent and manager, Dan Milstein, didn’t provide much reassurance to Red Wings fans regarding the rumor that Datsyuk could be heading to the KHL next season. [Detroit Free Press]
And finally, John Scott is headed back to the NHL.
The Canadiens have recalled NHL All-Star Game MVP John Scott. https://t.co/qH4TRqFEHIpic.twitter.com/17tQJVSvsE
— theScore (@theScore) April 3, 2016