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Dallas Stars Daily Links: The Stars’ Coaching Decisions, And How They’re Made

Fan criticism aside, Rick Bowness and staff are still working to get the balance right. Plus, Denis Gurianov makes a special Stars rookie roster, Jonathan Toews makes NHL history, and more.

As the Dallas Stars seek to lock down a playoffs spot, second-guessing the coaching staff seems to come naturally. Why wouldn’t interim head coach Rick Bowness give more ice time to rising stars like Denis Gurianov and Roope Hintz, especially when they do so much with it?

Well, it’s never that easy. Stars senior staff writer Mike Heika goes into it in one of his latest posts:

As Bowness and his coaching staff have tried to get more minutes for Denis Gurianov (20 goals) and Roope Hintz (18 goals), they have changed the way they are doing things. Now, each game is an entity unto itself and minutes vacillate because of the amount of special teams play or whether the Stars are leading or trailing. But while some fans complain that Bowness isn’t using Gurianov or Hintz enough, nobody seems to be concerned that Jamie Benn and Alexander Radulov are down two minutes of ice time per game from last season.

Benn has played five of the past 10 games in the 13-minute range, while Radulov has played two games in that range since returning from injury.

And even an interim head coach has to consider human factors, from time to time:

When all of the defensemen were healthy, Bowness was alternating Roman Polak and Andrej Sekera every other game. It was difficult for the two veterans, and Bowness said he felt their frustration. That’s the human side of the game. You might sit at home and say it’s Bowness’ job to deal with that unemotionally, and you’re probably right. That doesn’t mean it’s an easy call.

Mike has more. [Dallas Stars]

Stars Stuff

Saad Yousef has all the details on the Stars’ shootout loss in St. Louis.

ICYMI, Justin Dowling is back in Dallas.

And Denis Gurianov joined some interesting company with his goal on Saturday night.

Around The League(s)

#Murder Was The Case

  • Jonathan Toews got a goal, an assist and a shootout tally as the Chicago Blackhawks outlasted the Florida Panthers in extra minutes, 3-2. [Second City Hockey]
  • The Colorado Avalanche swept a back-to-back weekend with a 3-2 victory over the Nashville Predators. [Mile High Hockey]
  • The Josh Morrissey-less Winnipeg Jets fought hard but dropped a game to Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and the Edmonton Oilers, 3-2. [Arctic Ice Hockey]
  • And the Minnesota Wild lost a tough and surprisingly nasty game to the Washington Capitals, 4-3. [Japers’ Rink]/

Toews also became the first player in NHL history to score 50 shootout goals. Jared Clinton came up with a list of players who weren’t nearly that good at it.

The Tampa Bay Lightning just took a major hit to their hopes for a long playoffs run.

If you remember Cammi Granato as one of Team USA’s all-time greats, you’ll love this story about where she is now.

Greetings From Scenic Cedar Park

The Texas Stars notched a 4-2 win over the Grand Rapids Griffins on Saturday night.

Defender Ondrej Vala earned a big milestone, too.

Finally

Andrew Cogliano wasn’t born a dog companion, but he became one as fast as he could. Enjoy.

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