The Victory Green Gang is headed directly into another tough series, and that may be the way they like it.
It took seven games, but the better team won. And now that the Dallas Stars have turned the reigning Stanley Cup champions into the former Stanley Cup champions, it’s time to confront the next bit of eternity.
The Dallas Morning News‘ Lia Assimakopoulos cuts to the chase in her latest article. The Stars are facing a rested Colorado Avalanche squad in a series that must start on Tuesday, thanks to the fact that Luis Miguel has a concert in American Airlines Center on Wednesday. (Do we look like we could make this up?) And yet, our Stars seem to prefer the quick turnaround:
The Avalanche are coming off a week of rest after beating the Winnipeg Jets 4-1 in their first-round series, which ended Tuesday of last week. While they’ll have to hit the road to start the series, they’ve had more than enough time to rest.
[Head coach Pete] DeBoer said following Game 7 that he prefers to jump into the next series, especially this early in the playoffs. His team hasn’t had too much success coming off long breaks, and Colorado’s break could offer some time for the team to cool off.
The fast return to action may help in other ways, too:
“I don’t think you go through a seven-game series against a team like that without it taking some toll on you,” Stars coach Pete DeBoer said. “I think when you pay the bill for that toll, you never know when that’s gonna be. Is that a round from now? Is that two rounds from now? Is that in the summertime? Let’s hope we can push that off.”
After winning Game 7s, the Stars are 2-2 all-time in the series that followed. Some may argue they’ll be burnt out — but DeBoer hopes the momentum from the Game 7 high can carry his team forward.
Read the entire article at the DMN. [SportsDayDFW]
Stars Stuff
OK, so everything’s moving pretty fast now that the bracket is set. Your friend Sean Shapiro has you covered, including the broadcast details.
It looks as if one team did better at the trade deadline than other teams. You have three guesses. The first two don’t count.
Derek out here asking the real questions.
The Story So Far – Round 2
Don’t look now, but some teams have already moved on. (Hey, the Western Conference has a deep bench, what can we say.)
- Mika Zibanejad scored two goals and an assist as the New York Rangers took Game 1 against the Carolina Hurricanes, 4-3. [NHL]
In other news, the Toronto Maple Leafs lost another Game 7 to the Boston Bruins. You might not have heard about it.
The Nashville Predators fought hard, but the Vancouver Canucks took Game 6, and their Round 1 series, on Friday night.
Around The Leagues
Rick Bowness has had an eye on retirement since his Dallas days. Now it seems he’s found the right moment. All the best, Bones.
Were you wondering why #LT1R was trending? (Of course you weren’t.) The Sportsnet staff put together a DAL-VGK reaction mashup, and it was…savage. [Sportsnet]
At least 24 NHL teams are now more concerned with the 2024 NHL Draft than they are with who wins the 2024 Stanley Cup. Bob McKenzie writes about the guy at the top, and why everyone else is in flux.
Greetings From Scenic Cedar Park – And Beautiful Boise
Rémi Poirier is becoming more and more of a name to watch as the Texas Stars widen their series lead over the Milwaukee Admirals.
After a 4-2 loss in KC, the Idaho Steelheads stole Sunday’s game in the Kansas City Mavericks’ barn. They’ll look to take a series lead at home on Wednesday night.
Finally
That’ll do, Faks. That’ll do.