What do Jason Spezza and Joe Nieuwendyk have in common? As a matter of fact, says Mike Heika, rather a lot.
The comparisons between Jason Spezza and Joe Nieuwendyk are downright spooky at times.
The lanky centers both were born in Ontario, both were icons with Canadian-based teams to start their careers, and both were traded to the Stars near their 30th birthday.
Oh yeah, and they both seem to have landed in Dallas at the right time.
Heika goes on to say that both Spezza and Nieuwendyk needed to adjust to play different roles when they arrived in Dallas.
“It’s tough when you’re a long time in one place and you come to a new spot and everything is new,” Spezza said. “I think I probably put a little too much pressure on myself last year when we were losing games. I think my approach now is probably a little more mature, knowing there’s going to be ups and downs in a season and just being comfortable with the surroundings. We have a very deep team, so it’s important as a veteran guy to just stay level.”
There’s more on Spezza at the link. [SportsDayDFW]
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Happy Game 2, everyone! Mark Stepneski’s got you covered with a preview for tonight’s matchup with the Wild. [Stars Inside Edge]
If you’re going to be at the AAC tonight, don’t forget:
Join us for The @budlight Party tomorrow at 5pm featuring @mikedanielsband on the @gilleysdallas stage!
at 5:30. pic.twitter.com/JzEXNbjPBC
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) April 15, 2016
If it were up to Tyler Seguin, he’d be on the ice tonight. [Stars Inside Edge]
Eddie Olczyk chimes in on the Stars’ chances in the playoffs. [SportsDayDFW]
Mike Modano talks about his relationship with the Stars. [Detroit Free Press]
Carolyn Wilke (AKA @Classlicity) joins Hockey Wilderness on their latest podcast. [HW]
Don’t miss Sean Shapiro’s Texas Stars updates.
Texas Stars Mailbag: Playoff predictions, defensive depth, and Guryanov https://t.co/1j2JPYkVKX pic.twitter.com/prwKUxW3ua
— Sean Shapiro (@seanshapiro) April 15, 2016
The Stars might have had the night off, but there was plenty of hockey to watch yesterday.
- The Blackhawks tied their series at 1-1 with a 3-2 win over the Blues. There was plenty of controversy to go around, thanks to a called-back goal by Vladimir Tarasenko. [Second City Hockey]
- The Panthers also knotted their series at one with a 3-1 win vs. the Islanders. [Lighthouse Hockey]
- The Lightning extended their series lead to 2-0 over the Red Wings with a decisive 5-2 victory. [Raw Charge]
- The Predators took Game 1 against the Ducks with a 3-2. [On the Forecheck]
So what’d we learn about each playoff series last night? You can find out at the link. [Sportsnet]
Bruins prospect Jeremy Lauzon is “out of danger” after suffering a neck laceration. [TSN]
What are friends for if not to find your teeth on the ice?
The Capitals can expect a physical series from the Flyers. [Sports Illustrated]
Sean McIndoe breaks down the week’s three stars of comedy and talks about trading franchise players in his latest grab bag. [VICE]
Fighting is at an all-time low in the NHL. [Puck Daddy]
Sidney Crosby has got that whole gift giving thing down.
Pretty cool: Crosby signed a stick for Tom Sestito’s newborn, Killian, saying he feels a foot taller with Dad on ice pic.twitter.com/WNydJ8fLJC
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) April 15, 2016
The Hockey News explores what will happen to the Senators next season. [THN]
Hockey teams that want to be a little bit faster are looking to figure skaters for help. [New York Times]
With the NBA setting a new precedent, you can expect ads on hockey jerseys sooner rather than later. [Puck Daddy]
Watch out, Canada. America’s got this whole hockey thing down pat. [Wall Street Journal]
And finally, you could say that the Stars defensemen are all on the same page.
@SportsSturm I’d say the blue line is in-sync. pic.twitter.com/1XFLKenYW0
— Clay Byington (@clay_byington) April 15, 2016