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Dallas Stars Daily Links: Scattered Stars ‘Didn’t Get the Job Done’ Against the Leafs, Says Lindy Ruff

Posted on by Kathleen Tibbetts

Okay, so your Dallas Stars fell just short of tying the 2006-07 team’s fastest start in franchise history. We don’t blame anyone, nor are we pointing fingers when we do. But we’ve been to this party before, and we didn’t much like it last season, when the boys seemed to make a point of dropping games to teams they should have been able to beat in their sleep.

Not even the historic successful coach’s challenge of Brad Boyes‘ second, barely offside goal could help a Stars squad that seemed scattered by the irritating Leafs forecheck and stymied by whatever leftover Halloween demons were powering netminder James Reimer. Head coach Lindy Ruff got straight to the point during the postgame interview:

“We missed some opportunities to turn the momentum,” Ruff said, “but when you hand a team a couple of goals on missed assignments, I don’t think at the end of the night you deserve to win.”

…

“We didn’t get the job done,” he said.

And Johnny Oduya, who made an awful turnover that ended up in his own net, was making no excuses:

The Maple Leafs had scored first in just one of their first 10 games. They scored first Monday. They came in with the worst power play in the league and scored two power-play goals. And they exploited some serious cracks in the Stars defense.

“We talk about it every day,” Oduya said on defense. “We keep working, but some of the goals we could have prevented.”

Read the whole story at Heika’s place. [SportsDayDFW]

*****

Leafs goalie James Reimer stood on his head against the Stars last night, so he’s Star of the Night today. [Puck Daddy]

Well, if you say so.

At least call-up forward Devin Shore had something to be glad about. “I’ve never been more excited to be a healthy scratch in my whole life.” [SportsDayDFW]

Professional Leafs fan Steve Dangle does not like the coach’s challenge. No sir, he does not.

Meanwhile, what was this? Is this creepy? It may be a little creepy.

Elsewhere, on the Lower-Body Injury Watch: Vancouver Canucks defender Luca Sbisa is on IR and will be out for “awhile” with a “significant” owie that apparently involves his foot. [Today’s Slapshot]

Speaking of the Canucks, rookies Jared McCann (C) and Jake Virtanen (D) just learned they’ve made the team. Now take a look at what they went through before they were told. (With bonus Whiteboard Willie!) [Canucks Army]

Most of the time, the Stars score lots of goals, so it’s hard to identify with the fact that goals in the NHL are near an all-time low at the moment. Come for the Adam Gretz article, stay for the Chris Peters video starring Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin.

The Montreal Canadiens have released a couple of photos that appear to be teasers for an upcoming Winter Classic jersey reveal, possibly this Friday. Icethetics breaks them down. [Icethetics]

Because you were wondering. (Just admit it.) Roberto Luongo is pleased.

Jamie Benn was incredible in October, but who were the NHL’s 10 biggest duds of the month? You should read this article, because it may be the only time you’ll ever see Sidney Crosby lumped in here. [Sports Illustrated]

Finally: Yet another Bud Light Frozen Moment featuring the Stars, in happier days. (Which is to say Saturday, pretty much.) Let’s all look forward to beating the Bruins!

Talking Points