The Dallas Stars begin Round 1 against the reigning Stanley Cup champions tonight. Let’s get ready together.
The Stanley Cup Playoffs have begun. The Vegas Golden Knights are back in Big D. And tonight, the Dallas Stars begin that long journey to triumph, or heartbreak, or whatever else awaits them.
As if that weren’t enough, friend o’ DBD Robert Tiffin has launched a new blog for his Stars thoughts – named, appropriately enough, Stars Thoughts. And in his first post, he captures just a bit of what we’re all feeling today, in the way only Big Bobby T can:
The Stars will either stumble against a team that unabashedly games the salary cap, or they will vanquish the reigning champions and lick their lips at whatever remains of Colorado or Winnipeg. Things could go badly, as they always can. But things could also go really well, and that would mean one of the most satisfying series victories we’ve seen in a long time. I’ll be there tonight, walking up to the building amid the building tension and excitement, and I’ll be soaking in the collective angst and bravado along with everyone else.
Read it here, and save the bookmark. [Stars Thoughts]
Stars Stuff
Just leaving this here.
The Story So Far: Round 1
- Frederik Andersen’s 33 saves helped propel the Carolina Hurricanes to a 3-1 Game 1 win over the New York Islanders. [The News & Observer (Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill)]
- Jake DeBrusk’s three-point game set the pace for the Boston Bruins’ 5-1 statement victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs. [NBC Sports Boston]
- The Battle of Florida began with a 3-2 Panthers win over the Tampa Bay Lightning; Carter Verhaeghe netted the game-winner on the power play. [Litter Box Cats]
- The New York Rangers lived up to their President’s Trophy hype by scoring three goals in just over two minutes in a 4-1 win over the Washington Capitals. [Blueshirt Banter]
- The #MurderDeathKill Division showed up big as the Winnipeg Jets won a scoring battle over the Colorado Avalanche, 7-6. [Arctic Ice Hockey]
- And the Vancouver Canucks scored twice in 12 seconds during a third period rally to take Game 1 over the Nashville Predators, 4-2. [On The Forecheck]
Around The Leagues
Oh, it’s this guy.
See, Pete DeBoer still knows what’s up.
In our defense, salt is everywhere this time of year.
Does Sean Shapiro speak for all of us? As usual? Discuss.
Meanwhile, the AHL probably deserves a nice tall sports drink of its choice: 26 of the league’s 32 teams have seen attendance increases at their home rinks this year. [The AHL]
Greetings From Scenic Cedar Park (And Beautiful Boise)
The Texas Stars are about to start a postseason quest of their own, but in the meantime, Mavrik Bourque has given them one more reason to celebrate.
And how beautiful is it that the Idaho Steelheads are planning their own first round around North Texas, alongside their big brothers? (I’m’a let you get ahold of yourself before you answer.)
Finally
It’s time. Let’s go.