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Dallas Stars Daily Links: Stars Stand Tall In A Stolen Game

Posted on by Kathleen Tibbetts

On paper, it looks as if the Dallas Stars won last night’s overtime loss to the Edmonton Oilers. On the ice, Mikko Koskinen committed grand theft hockey.

That’s how Sean Shapiro describes what happened last night in his latest 20/20 for The Athletic:

On the video, you’ll see the goalie making sharp, controlled saves to end lengthy Dallas possessions. There’s a little bit of flare — the glove was flashy Tuesday — mixed with fundamental goaltending that allowed Koskinen to use every inch of his 6-foot-7 frame.

The numbers tell a better story, and like the Stars in Tampa Bay in late December, the Oilers are walking out of this one feeling like they’ve committed grand larceny.

Dallas had a 12-4 edge in high-danger chances at even strength, according to Natural Stat Trick, and a 15-8 edge in all situations. When it comes to expected goals for, the Stars had an edge of 3.57 to 1.98.

Former Star Alex Chiasson got the OT game-winner, because that’s the sort of thing that happens to this team all the time. But the Victory Green Gang silenced the Oilers’ most potent weapons, which bodes well for the long final sprint to the postseason:

The NHL’s best and potentially second-best player were fresh off a masterful showing in Nashville on Monday and are at the center of the NHL’s annual “How do we define the Hart Trophy?” debate.

They were contained by the Stars.

Radek Faksa went head-to-head with [Leon] Draisaitl, and Jason Dickinson was given the task of matching up with [Connor] McDavid. McDavid’s and Draisaitl’s lines weren’t just contained; they were caved in and spent most of the game just trying to get out of their own zone at even strength.

There’s much more behind the paywall. [The Athletic DFW]

Stars Stuff

John Klingberg, who tallied the Stars’ only goal last night, reflects on a tough loss in a good game.

Denis Gurianov was the best Stars player on the ice last night.

Sean Shapiro and Owen Newkirk talk about it in their latest CarCast.

In other news…time to plan your next road trip?

Around The League(s)

#Death Notes

  • The St. Louis Blues stretched their winning streak to eight with a 3-1 victory over the New York Rangers. [St. Louis Game Time]
  • In Central-on-Central violence, Alex Stalock made 37 saves as the Minnesota Wild defeated the Nashville Predators 3-1. [Hockey Wilderness]
  • Kyle Connor scored twice as the Winnipeg Jets handed the Buffalo Sabres their fourth consecutive loss, 3-1. [Die By The Blade]
  • And Dylan Strome scored twice as the Chicago Blackhawks swept their season series with the Anaheim Ducks, 6-2. [Second City Hockey]/

The Predators are providing food, shelter and support after a devastating tornado struck the Volunteer State early yesterday morning.

Johnny Boychuk appears to have escaped damage to his eyes after taking a skate to the face during the New York Islanders’s loss to the Montreal Canadiens.

The NHL is about to take one step closer to letting fans track player stats live.

Everyone has a Hart Trophy favorite. Jared Clinton is taking a look at some strong midfield candidates.

More goals will be good goals if a small change to allow “breaking the plane” of the blueline gets upvoted by the Board of Governors.

Greetings From Scenic Cedar Park

Save the date for the next free Facebook stream of the Texas Stars.

Talking Points