Dallas Stars Daily Links: How The West Was Won
Defying the odds has become what Dallas does best. Plus, action around the league, reaction as the Stars move on, and more.
The Dallas Stars did it again. They ignored the haters, flipped off the odds, and delivered the goods when it mattered. And now they’ve defeated another heavily favored opponent to win the Western Conference.
How do they keep doing it? At this point, it’s just part of this team’s unlikely identity, writes Dan Rosen of NHL.com.
Tyler Seguin is going to his third Stanley Cup final, and his first with the Stars, which makes him a sort of old hand among his teammates. His perspective provides some context:
The Stars have won an NHL-high 12 games this season (regular season and postseason combined) when they have trailed going into the third period. They’ve done it three times in the postseason, including in each of their past two series-ending wins.
Why? How?
“Belief, our depth and the stuff we’ve gone through as a group over the years,” Seguin said. “This year, there’s just been so much stuff that has happened to us.”
Do the Stars have “enough drama left” to win four more games? If you look to Anton Khudobin, who has won eight consecutive games in which he made more than 30 saves, you might say so:
“He’s always been that goalie in practice that you don’t love shooting on because you don’t score much,” Seguin said. “He reminds me of a guy named Tim Thomas a little bit. He’s competitive, works hard, and he’s getting the job done.”
There’s more at the league’s official site: [NHL]
Stars Stuff
What. A. Win.
Benn re-wrote playoff narratives, the legend of Kiviranta and Khudobin grew, and the DENIS system unloaded a 110 MPH bomb in OT. The 20/20 as the Stars have advanced to the Stanley Cup Final. https://t.co/aEjFN2Gyvm
— Sean Shapiro (@seanshapiro) September 15, 2020
Of course this isn’t an ordinary year. But in the midst of the disruption, some songs remain the same.
We saw a unique NHL trophy presentation in Edmonton on Monday. Here is what it looked like, and sounded like, from myself and @ThomasDrance: https://t.co/SUVb1KlLdG
— Аrpon Basu (@ArponBasu) September 15, 2020
In case you missed the Stars home call on Denis Gurianov’s winning snipe, bookmark this.
A moment I will never forget. pic.twitter.com/o1xUXKPXBt
— Josh Bogorad (@JoshBogorad) September 15, 2020
Guri and his murder slapper are your wholesome perma-loop for the day week year.
Gurianov series-clinching goal clocked in at 110 MPH pic.twitter.com/45VUOdVXIL
— Brady Trettenero (@BradyTrett) September 15, 2020
Dallas sports legend demonstrates that real recognizes real.
DALLAS STARS!!!
— Troy Aikman (@TroyAikman) September 15, 2020
Around The League(s)
Yes, you’re awake, and yes, this really happened.
Western Conference Champions. #GoStars | #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/Vswc2MMxXX
— #StanleyCup Playoffs on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) September 15, 2020
Touching the Campbell Bowl didn’t happen, though. Sheesh, don’t even think it.
The Western Conference champion Stars stuck with recent tradition and didn't touch the Clarence S. Campbell Bowl after they were presented the trophy following a 3-2 overtime win against the Golden Knights in Game 5 of the West Final.https://t.co/w5hr3WGoZV
— NHL.com (@NHLdotcom) September 15, 2020
The Eastern Conference championship could be decided tonight. Will the Tampa Bay Lightning put it away, or can the New York Islanders shock them again?
Rob Cookson, a former video coach with the Flyers and former assistant with the Senators and Flames, suggests adjustments the Islanders and Lightning might make heading into Game 5 on Tuesday (8 p.m. ET; NBCSN, CBC, SN, TVAS). https://t.co/B0nGXA84hS
— NHL.com (@NHLdotcom) September 14, 2020
Elsewhere, the offseason is in full swing: The Washington Capitals have hired Peter Laviolette as bench boss.
Story: Peter Laviolette will be the next head coach of the Washington Capitals. Three-year deal. https://t.co/4x7mAtZAFz
— Samantha Pell (@SamanthaJPell) September 15, 2020
The NHL Draft is going virtual, and the league is trying to make it feel as normal as possible.
"Will there be cascades of boos for Bettman to make everyone feel both slightly awkward and a little at home?"@OvertimeScottB explores how the NHL is putting together a virtual draft that maintains tradition ⤵️https://t.co/qvSfLbNcbs
— The Athletic NHL (@TheAthleticNHL) September 14, 2020
The league has also put together a plan to make hockey more inclusive. Now it’s time to find out how it will work on the ground.
After the NHL unveiled a detailed plan to combat racism and promote inclusivity, what are the next steps to turn an on-paper idea into impactful change?
— The Hockey News (@TheHockeyNews) September 14, 2020
NHL executive vice-president Kim Davis spoke to @THNMattLarkin to provide on update on the progress:https://t.co/khYMAEmwnS
The pandemic reality is sinking in as NHL teams face a static cap for “the foreseeable future.” What will it mean for next season?
THEN: March 2020
— Hockey Night in Canada (@hockeynight) September 15, 2020
Salary cap was projected to hit at least US$84 million
NOW: September 2020
The cap is slated to remain at $81.5 million US for the foreseeable futurehttps://t.co/DLYBCrNL3S
Hey, Don Cherry popped his head out this morning, and the “old man yells at cloud” GIF has already been deployed at least once.
I hate this rule. What a rotten way for Vegas to go out. The spirit of the rule was if someone flipped the puck over the glass on purpose than it was a penalty, not this. What if this was in the finals? pic.twitter.com/KRDmLEHrQx
— Don Cherry (@CoachsCornerDC) September 15, 2020
Finally
Let Anton Khudobin’s rallying cry propel you through a long day after what was probably a pretty late night. Enjoy.
WHAT HE SAID! 💪💪💪 pic.twitter.com/qLP69lqUHi
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) September 15, 2020