The NHL is on break, due to Christmas and COVID combined. There’s very little to talk about in the Dallas Stars world. So the Stars are talking holidays. Some of your favorite players chimed on the best and worst gifts, their favorite movies, and more of what makes December special.
Bad gifts? No such thing, say Jamie Benn and Alexander Radulov. But some are…better than others. (Just listen to the way Esa Lindell says “Gameboy.” You know that was his very own version of the Red Ryder carbine-action 200-shot range model air rifle, with a compass in the stock and this thing which tells time.)
Personally, I don’t get the “Home Alone” love when “Scrooged” is just sitting there, waiting for you to walk toward it…but everyone can agree that Santa Claus is from Finland.
Merry Christmas Eve!
Stars Stuff
Matthew DeFranks is opening the Stars mailbag, and he’s inviting you to drop something in.
Let’s take some questions for a Stars mailbag. Dallas Morning News subscribers will be prioritized, and you can submit questions through this link: https://t.co/msTMEf4wof
— Matthew DeFranks (@MDeFranks) December 22, 2021
Meanwhile, Saad Yousuf is going full Festivus on his Twitter feed.
Stars fans: Let’s have an Airing of Grievances. Reply here to any grievances about the team that you may have 👇 https://t.co/imHr31OiRb
— Saad Yousuf (@SaadYousuf126) December 23, 2021
Razor and Heika discuss the burning issues facing our team today, and the answer to all of them is the MiroRoboRoopSki.
“Who or what is on the Stars Christmas card?” 🤔@Razor5Hole and @MikeHeika are back at it again for this week’s episode of Podman Rush!
🔊: https://t.co/xHoS3Yu61I pic.twitter.com/lGBtZk9luW
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) December 22, 2021
Clearly, scoring a goalie goal is the only approved New Year’s wish for Braden Holtby.
Get to know Braden Holtby! 🥅
Our @childrens Health Kid Reporter, Tommy, has got the scoop. 🎙 pic.twitter.com/qnpi4wWVuo
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) December 23, 2021
Around The Leagues
#Death Notes
So the Krampus took those Dirty Central games you’d planned to enjoy on DVR this weekend. Cheer up! New Year’s Week promises plenty of action, beginning December 27…
- St. Louis Blues vs. New Jersey Devils
- Winnipeg Jets vs. Minnesota Wild
- Colorado Avalanche at Vegas Golden Knights/
Caveat: The NHL may postpone more games next week…except for the 2022 Winter Classic. An update – plus perspective from a guy who’s played a lot of games at Target Field. [NHL]
Former Twins catcher Joe Mauer said the 2022 Discover NHL Winter Classic between the Wild and Blues on Jan. 1 suits the diamond at Target Field. https://t.co/tn4ACglNzr
— NHL.com (@NHLdotcom) December 22, 2021
If you can’t wait for the World Juniors, here’s the episode of “The Rink” for you.
An @TheRink podcast that gives you literally EVERYTHING you need to know about the upcoming World Juniors from @mikemorrealeNHL plus a discussion on today’s Olympic decision and looking at some teams and asking if they’re for real with @sroarke_nhl and I:https://t.co/AQ9er5U1JP
— Dan Rosen (@drosennhl) December 22, 2021
And here’s a bonus learning on international etiquette from TSN.
A note for the upcoming #WorldJuniors and all @IIHFHockey events, the Czech Federation has officially requested that it be referred to as “Czechia” (pronounced “CHEK-ee-ah” in English) in all competitions, as opposed to “Czech Republic”. The plural/possessive is still “Czechs”. pic.twitter.com/48Ulfu8iSL
— Gord Miller (@GMillerTSN) December 20, 2021
Wayne Gretzky weighed in on Alex Ovechkin’s pursuit of his “unbreakable” record – and surprise no surprise, he’s on Team Ovi.
Wayne Gretzky weighed in on Alex Ovechkin chasing down his all-time goals record https://t.co/3bF3dZCa2t
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) December 23, 2021
O HALLO OTTER YOU FANTASY STUD.
#FantasyHockey top 25 goalies:
📈 #TexasHockey Oettinger; #FlyTogether Stolarz
🆕 #GoSensGo Forsberg
👀 #STLBlues Lindgren; #LetsGoOilers Skinner
Full rankings & podcast: https://t.co/2oSt4HIUvn
— NHL Fantasy on Ice 🏒 (@NHLFantasy) December 22, 2021
Finally
The Pittsburgh Penguins couldn’t decide which holiday movie to recreate, so they did all of them. (Except “It’s A Wonderful Life.” And “Elf.” And…well, they couldn’t actually do all of them.) Enjoy.