The Stars’ newest netminder had a Dallas debut to remember. Mike Heika took notes.
The Dallas Stars have won three games in four days. Two of them were shutouts, one for each goaltender. And the clean sheet that belongs to Casey DeSmith marked his very first game in Victory Green.
Do we dare ask what he does for an encore?
Stars staff writer Mike Heika took stock of the Sunday victory against the Seattle Kraken – the culmination of a long and intense opening weekend for the Stars:
DeSmith was excellent in his Dallas debut. The 33-year-old signed a three-year contract with Dallas in the offseason and had a solid camp, posting a 1.51 GAA in 120 minutes of play. On Sunday, he stepped right in and continued that run….
Asked about getting a shutout on the heels of a Jake Oettinger shutout Saturday against the Islanders, DeSmith said: “That’s awesome, what a way to start the season. It just shows we’re playing the right way and hopefully that keeps going.”
Like most hockey players, DeSmith was quick to deflect personal praise in favor of commending the entire team:
“There’s a lot of communication,” DeSmith said of playing with his new teammates. “They do things the right way as far as getting back on breakouts, working together as a group of five. I just think this team has a lot of chemistry, and they know how to win. This team is always at the top of the standings, and there’s a reason for that. They know how to win.”
There’s always more at Mike’s place. [Dallas Stars]
Stars Stuff
It’s Monday. Just watch this video on repeat until it goes away.
Wyatt Johnston may be even better than you thought he was. Yes, for real.
Why yes, they did that thing. Thank you for asking.
Anyone notice how spicy Nils Lundkvist got over the summer? …Everyone did? Cool.
#Murder Was The Case
What else happened in the Dirty Central this weekend? Let’s take a look.
- The Winnipeg Jets, on something of a tear lately, racked up two overtime victories: the first against the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday… [Arctic Ice Hockey]
- …and the second against the Minnesota Wild yesterday. [The Minnesota Star Tribune]
- Pavel Buchnevich scored two goals and an assist, but ultimately the St. Louis Blues couldn’t hold off the Vegas Golden Knights on the road. [NHL]
- The Nashville Predators couldn’t solve Cam Talbot, who made 42 saves in his first game with the Detroit Red Wings on the way to a 3-0 victory. [On The Forecheck]
- Is Utah Hockey Club…good? Clayton Keller netted two goals, including the OT winner, to defeat the New York Rangers and keep the Baby Blue Squad undefeated. [Blueshirt Banter]
- The Seattle Kraken also played two games over the weekend. They did somewhat better against a different #MDK opponent, beating the Wild in OT 5-4 on Saturday. [Davy Jones’ Locker Room]
- The Colorado Avalanche lost a 6-4 decision at home as the Columbus Blue Jackets got goals from six different players. [The Cannon]
- And the Blackhawks rang up their first win of the season with a 5-2 takedown of the Edmonton Oilers in Rogers Place. [Second City Hockey]
Around The Leagues
But seriously, what’s up with the Oilers? Why is the team so many putative experts have picked to win it all next spring off to such a miserable start this fall? Jim Parsons has some ideas.
Sportsnet’s Luke Fox has assembled a list of 25 people who will define the 2024-25 NHL season, and no, it’s not just Connor McDavid 25 times. It has everyone from Thatcher Demko and Patrik Laine to Jessica Campbell and Lindy Ruff, plus a shocking lack of a certain two-time GM of the Year.
Already thinking about the 4 Nations Face-Off? You can bet Jake Oettinger is. (But seriously, this Jason Robertson erasure will not stand, man.)
Finally
Razor does have a point here. Think about it…and enjoy your day.