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Dallas Stars Daily Links: Maple Leafs Beat Stars 3-1

Posted on by Melissa Flandreau

Tyler Seguin picked up his 20th goal of the season last night, but his power-play tally early in the third period wasn’t enough to spark a comeback for the Stars. Instead, Dallas dropped their third straight with a 3-1 loss to Toronto.

In other words, Mike Heika says, it was more of the same.

The Stars entered New Year’s Eve vowing to make a serious run and have gone 5-7-3 since. They vowed to make hay in a six-game homestand and went 2-2-2. They vowed to dig in on the road and now have lost three games in regulation for the first time this season. They are losing ground at 21-23-10, and they are losing time to make up ground with 28 games remaining in the season.

Dan Hamhuis described it as the team finding ways to lose by taking penalties. Seguin put it this way.

“I’m just so sick of talking about it,” Seguin said. “We have to look in the mirror, dig deeper, we have to all be professionals and try to get out of this together.”

There’s more on the loss at the link. [SportsDayDFW]

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In a Q&A with Pierre LeBrun, Jamie Benn addressed everything from his role as captain to his brother’s beard. [TSN]

LeBrun: Have you grown more comfortable with that role?

Benn: Yeah, for sure. I like to keep the rap I have of being a guy who doesn’t talk to the media too well (smiles). That’s perfectly fine with me. But talking inside the room? That’s easy. It’s home. We’re all brothers in there, we’re family. I just have the best part of leading the way and being able to speak my mind the most.

Defenseman Jamie Oleksiak talks about his sister, gold medalist Penny Oleksiak, and his own swimming abilities.

John Klingberg on added pressure and trying too hard to do too much. [The Hockey News]

“We had a lot of injuries, and me, Tyler and Jamie were still in the lineup and trying too much,” Klingberg said. “We got really frustrated with our own games, and that showed up a lot in a couple of losses. We were just too invisible.”

For Devin Shore and Brett Ritchie, playing in their hometown of Toronto was a dream come true. [SportsDayDFW]

ICYMI yesterday, the Bruins have relieved Claude Julien of his duties as head coach. Lindy Ruff shared his thoughts on that departure.

Elliotte Friedman’s latest 30 Thoughts include Jim Nill’s thoughts on the Stars’ future blueline and a few insights into Radek Faksa. [Sportsnet]

In two years, who does he see from the current group on this blue line? Nill named Klingberg, Lindell, Jordie Benn, Julius Honka, Stephen Johns, and Patrik Nemeth.

Also at Sportsnet, Luke Fox takes a look at what we can expect from the Stars as the trade deadline approaches. [Sportsnet]

While you’re waiting for tomorrow’s game in Ottawa, here’s some listening material.

Senators goalie Craig Anderson and his wife, Nicholle, who has throat cancer, have returned to Ottawa. Anderson is hoping his family can settle back into a routine. [TSN]

Jets defenseman Tyler Myers will be out 6-8 more weeks after undergoing surgery for a lower-body injury. Myers has been missing from the Winnipeg lineup since November 11. [Arctic Ice Hockey]

Wanna bet? Sean McIndoe gives you the odds on various trade deadline scenarios. [Sportsnet]

Could the NHL be headed back to Hartford? [ESPN]

With both Steve Mason and Michal Neuvirth set to be free agents, a look at what the Flyers might do about their goaltending situation.  [The Hockey News]

And finally, Mike Modano has some career advice for Ken Hitchcock.

Talking Points