Dallas Stars Daily Links: The Stars Can Still Find Scoring When It Matters
The solutions to the Stars’ goals issue are probably on the team already, writes Mike Heika. Plus, tributes to Kobe, big moments from the AHL All-Star Game, and more.
There’s nothing quite like Jamie Benn in Sochi Mode. With two goals in a 3-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning, including the overtime game-winner, The Captain showed once again that the Benn who can take over a game and bring home the W is still there.
And that highlights a simple fact about the Dallas Stars as a team: Their current issue with scoring goals almost certainly has an in-house solution. Stars senior staff writer Mike Heika examined the case in his postgame column:
There is a belief that Tyler Seguin and Benn and [Joe] Pavelski and [Denis] Gurianov and Roope Hintz and [Jason] Dickinson and Radek Faksa have the ability to score. There is a belief, as fans ponder just what offensive talent might be available before the Feb. 24 trade deadline, that there are plenty of scorers right here.
Seguin had 40 goals two years ago. Benn had 36 that season. [Alexander] Radulov tallied 29 last year. Pavelski had 38. Heck, [Mattias] Janmark had 19 two seasons ago, Faksa had 17, and Blake Comeau had 13. Now, some of that was on different teams and all of it was with different coaches, but there is history there.
And Benn certainly knows how to lead the way – especially if Beast Mode keeps coming back at opportune times:
“Great athletes have the mental skills,” Stars interim coach Rick Bowness said of Benn’s calm at key moments. “A lot of guys would get there and their mind would be going a million miles an hour, but great athletes have the ability to slow the game down in their mind and take what’s there.
”I think Jamie did a great job of being composed on both goals and hanging on to it until just the right second before putting it behind him. That’s a mental skill. The physical skill you can see, but the mental side of that, being able to calm the brain down and slow it down so that the hands can work at the right time, that’s what makes special athletes.”
There’s more at Mike’s place. [Dallas Stars]
Stars Stuff
Sean Shapiro offers an appreciation of Beast Mode Benn in his postgame 20/20.
Stars 20/20: Jamie Benn takes control as Stars ground Lightning in OT https://t.co/4r2n6egWCg
— Sean Shapiro (@seanshapiro) January 28, 2020
The Texas Rangers were super-stoked to be at last night’s game.
And it’s sweet, sweet, sweet victory! @DallasStars | #GoStars pic.twitter.com/g5m0volohW
— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) January 28, 2020
And the Stars were stoked right back.
Thanks for coming out tonight, boys!
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) January 28, 2020
Can’t wait to see your new digs this season @GlobeLifeField. ⚾️@Rangers | #GoStars pic.twitter.com/6WYt7QvFV5
The Captain scored twice, but this beauty from Denis Gurianov got national love, too.
Show off them wheels, DENIS GURIANOV! 🏎#ShotoftheNight presented by @JagermeisterUSA. pic.twitter.com/Cg0qX8EOy9
— NHL on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) January 28, 2020
ICYMI, The Captain hit a big milestone last night...
The @DallasStars got a hard-fought OT win over the Lightning on Monday night, as Jamie Benn broke out with a 2 goal effort including the winner to tie him with a teammate for 2nd on this all-time franchise list pic.twitter.com/MjfQnI5Oe5
— StatsCentre (@StatsCentre) January 28, 2020
...and so did Tyler Seguin.
Assisting on 1 of his team's goals during a 3-2 win in OT over the Lightning Monday, Tyler Seguin is now tied for 5th (just 1 off 4th as well) on this list of offensive stars with the @DallasStars (since the franchise's move to Texas in 1993) pic.twitter.com/JPLCNUqgKh
— StatsCentre (@StatsCentre) January 28, 2020
Around The League(s)
In On The #Kill Taker
- The St. Louis Blues couldn’t solve Thatcher Demko, who stopped 36 shots in a 3-1 Vancouver Canucks victory. [Nucks Misconduct]/
The NHL is as stunned as the rest of us over the death of Kobe Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, and seven others. The Great One helps lead off this compendium. [NHL]
Janet and I have no words to describe our shock and sadness on the tragic passing of Kobe Bryant today. Praying for him and his family. 🙏
— Wayne Gretzky (@WayneGretzky) January 26, 2020
The Stars offered their own tribute last night.
Moment of silence for Kobe Bryant in Dallas pic.twitter.com/cTMOrJSqr3
— Sean Shapiro (@seanshapiro) January 28, 2020
Before their 4-2 victory over the Anaheim Ducks, the San Jose Sharks paid tribute to some other California heroes as well.
#SJSharks honor first responders from Gilroy Garlic Festival tragedy, @SharksCare donates $45,867.11 to #GilroyStrong fundraising efforts.https://t.co/PeDdMuJkcl
— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) January 28, 2020
At age 40, Patrick Marleau appears to be wearing exceedingly well.
Patrick Marleau scored his 109th career game-winning goal to tie Alex Ovechkin and Brendan Shanahan for sixth on the NHL’s all-time list. https://t.co/a5HW8FZ65Z #NHLStats pic.twitter.com/svtw2Cu6we
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) January 28, 2020
How hard can the rest of the season be? The NHL.com Fantasy staff has done the sums.
Strength of schedule 🏒🗓
— NHL Fantasy on Ice 🏒 (@NHLFantasy) January 27, 2020
-Favorable: COL, BOS, WSH, TBL, CGY
-Difficult: DET, CAR, NSH, NYR, WPG
Full list on @NHLdotcom: https://t.co/xDyWLPog56
When the Stars waived forward Gemel Smith, it triggered a spiral of depression that nearly derailed his career. Then Boston Bruins teammate Patrice Bergeron stepped in.
Gemel Smith was suffering with his depression in silence until Patrice Bergeron stepped in to help.
— TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) January 28, 2020
In support of #BellLetsTalk on Wednesday, Michael Farber has more on the importance of not suffering alone:
Viewable worldwide: https://t.co/Au8hP2nPqD pic.twitter.com/ShzQSWHntN
Which players are you keeping an eye on because of the AHL All-Star Game? Steven Ellis can suggest a few.
The AHL All-Star Game takes place Monday with a talent-rich group of top prospects. @THNStevenEllis looks at seven candidates to earn an NHL promotion in the near future:https://t.co/WgoS4tUvUr
— The Hockey News (@TheHockeyNews) January 28, 2020
Greetings From Scenic Cedar Park
Forward Joel L’Esperance scored two goals in three games as the Texas Stars’ All-Star rep – including this one from his favorite spot.
“That’s his honey hole”
— Texas Stars (@TexasStars) January 28, 2020
Couldn’t agree more @MikeMcKenna56 🍯 pic.twitter.com/i0MNNSRBbt
He helped take the Central Division to the final game, but the Atlantic came away with the overall victory.
The Atlantic division wins the #AHLAllStar championship, and it's Matt Moulson who accepts the trophy! pic.twitter.com/j41B17CVWT
— AHL (@TheAHL) January 28, 2020
ICYMI, Martin Frk of the Ontario Reign thrilled the crowd with a record-breaking performance in the skills contest. (Zdeno who?)
FRK YEAH!!!!
— Ontario Reign (@ontarioreign) January 27, 2020
Your #AHLAllStar Hardest Shot Winner, at 109.2, is Martin Frk!!!! pic.twitter.com/CrVtA9D3dj
Finally
That’s it. That’s the tweet. Enjoy.
BEAST MODE BENN.#TBLvsDAL | #GoStars pic.twitter.com/0RqBGdBOiS
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) January 28, 2020