Andrew Cogliano has played NHL hockey for 12 seasons, and he now finds himself in a position entirely unfamiliar to him. He had never missed a game until a sketchy hit from Ryan Reaves last week. Now he will almost certainly miss his third in a row tonight against the New York Rangers.
Mark Stepneski talked with the Dallas Stars forward about the injury that ended his streak of 830 consecutive games played:
“Brutal. Brutal. It sucks,” Cogliano said of sitting out the last two games. “I’ve been out once in my career — two games to a stupid suspension, in my opinion. But it’s not fun this time of the year. These are the games you want to play in; these are the games you want to be in the battle. You want to be competing as hard as you can.
“It sucked, to be honest, to sit out and watch the guys play, but I think they did a good job and that made it a lot easier knowing that we got a couple of big wins and guys played really well. Now it’s about getting myself back and adding to what the guys have created the last little bit.”
Mark has more, including practice updates from yesterday. [Stars Inside Edge]
Stars Stuff
It’s Military Appreciation Night as the Stars begin an important home stand. Don’t forget to pick up your camo hat!
In appreciation of those who have served, we’ll be giving out camo Stars caps to the first 10,000 fans to arrive to Tuesday’s game vs. the NY Rangers. Doors open at 6:00 PM!
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) March 4, 2019
The Victory Green gang posted their own tribute to the late, great Ted Lindsay yesterday.
The Dallas Stars are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Ted Lindsay. A great competitor on the ice, he was dedicated to improving the game for all who played it. His legacy will continue to live on through his contributions to the game. pic.twitter.com/XDvHPeG2wn
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) March 4, 2019
And on a much happier note, they wished a happy March 4th birthday to Valeri Nichushkin.
Happy birthday, Val! 🎊🎉 #GoStars pic.twitter.com/ZeFxEte5SA
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) March 4, 2019
Around The League(s)
It was all quiet in the #MurderDeathKill Division last night, so let’s get to the other headlines:
Tyler Ennis scored his first career hat trick as the Toronto Maple Leafs beat the Calgary Flames.
Tyler Ennis pots his first career hat trick to lead the Leafs to a big win over the Flames. 🧢🧢🧢
(🎥: @NHL) pic.twitter.com/BFPg4qzXVy
— theScore (@theScore) March 5, 2019
And the Buffalo Sabres could ill afford to lose to the Edmonton Oilers last night – they have their hands full with the suddenly scary Atlantic Division.
Wrong division, wrong time? The plight of the Buffalo Sabres https://t.co/jlxHQM9yle
— The Hockey News (@TheHockeyNews) March 5, 2019
HOW did Jason Pominville block his own goal – the one that could have ensured OT?
Sports. Are. Cruel. 😩https://t.co/VgDOk6GAzu
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) March 5, 2019
The San Jose Sharks are in a great playoff position, and they want to make sure Erik Karlsson is around to help keep it that way.
The @SanJoseSharks are being “extra cautious” with Erik Karlsson’s groin injury. #NHL https://t.co/OVm50tbHHQ pic.twitter.com/xnYiiIpqCR
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) March 5, 2019
Sweeping changes have already worked – so this week’s NHL GM meeting will focus on details like giving league officials the final call on the coach’s challenge, writes Dan Rosen.
On Day 1 of the GMs Meetings from Boca Raton, where breakout groups met and minor tweaks were able to be discussed because previous meetings held in storms of controversy have yielded many of the positive results we see on the ice today: https://t.co/67upXxOLVv
— Dan Rosen (@drosennhl) March 4, 2019
CBC Sports asks if fans think the game is in the “really good place” GMs describe.
Are YOU happy about the increase in goals and comebacks? https://t.co/WGRQmf324l
— Hockey Night in Canada (@hockeynight) March 4, 2019
Greetings From Scenic Cedar Park
If you’re in Austin Metro, take note of tonight’s official watch party. The Texas Stars take on the Milwaukee Admirals at 7 p.m.
🚨FUN ALERT🚨@Pluckers Lakeline will be hosting another Pluckers Watch Party tomorrow evening! Join us for chicken, trivia, and drinks! Party starts at 6:30 p.m. and the puck drops against the Milwaukee Admirals at 7:00 p.m! See you there!🍻 pic.twitter.com/6tqdzeqrbi
— Texas Stars (@TexasStars) March 4, 2019
LW Spencer Naas is returning to Boise just in time for a three-game home stand this weekend.
#txstars left wing Spencer Naas has been returned to the Idaho Steelheads.
Read: https://t.co/w1zpM1dmTV pic.twitter.com/9aORLRZISU
— Texas Stars (@TexasStars) March 4, 2019
Finally
The Humboldt Broncos saga continues as the last surviving player is released from the hospital. Best wishes, Morgan Gobeil.
Awesome news. After 333 days, @HumboldtBroncos defenceman Morgan Gobeil is being released from hospital after many medical procedures and hours upon hours of physical, occupational, and speech therapy. This “BELIEVE” kickplate is leaving w him, there until the last one went home. pic.twitter.com/vks7qwOASX
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) March 4, 2019