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Dallas Stars Daily Links: The Stars Looked Good, Still Lost In Back-To-Back

Posted on by Kathleen Tibbetts

The Dallas Stars’ short but difficult history with the Vegas Golden Knights continued apace last night in American Airlines Center. The 2-1 loss bumped them back into the first wild-card space on a night when they had an opportunity to gain some ground on their Central Division rivals.

But were there good omens despite the disappointing finish? Sean Shapiro of The Athletic DFW noted this:

They were playing the second game of a back-to-back and their third game in four nights. The Stars didn’t get back to Dallas until well after midnight, while their opponent was ready and resting for them back in Texas.

Vegas hadn’t played since Sunday, getting what felt like a mini-bye week during the stretch run, and the Golden Knights have been one of the hottest teams in the NHL since the trade deadline….

But even in getting dealt a poor hand the Stars did enough to win this game and for a tired team, this was a game you can chalk up as a somewhat acceptable loss — if there is such a thing.

If you had to pick one Stars player who deserved better, there’s a good chance he would be Anton Khudobin. Sean makes that case, too:

Khudobin made 35 saves on 37 shots and allowed two goals or fewer in a start for the 14th time this season. Yet the Stars’ inability to provide goal support dropped his record to 7-5-2 in those situations and he’s now 13-15-3 overall.

He also brought an update on Ben Bishop’s health break, which appears to be preventive as much as therapeutic:

“I think when you are 6-foot-7 it’s hard to have a strong core as someone that is short (5-foot-10) as I am,” [head coach Jim] Montgomery said. “We have to look at his offseason training. Because he’s getting at the age where these type of injuries happen more and more. The hip flexors, the groins, and hamstrings. With as much as goalies go up and down, I think we have to re-evaluate how he trains in the summer so that we can try and avoid this.”

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

Stars Stuff

The low-key worst thing about a loss like last night is seeing a tender like Dobby kicking himself over it.

Undeniably good thing: The Roope Hintz fandom continues to expand.

Gerry Fraley takes a closer look at The Flow’s burgeoning NHL game. Who knew confidence was so important?…

Around The League(s)

In On The #Kill Taker

  • The Colorado Avalanche lagged again last night, taking an early lead yet dropping a 5-3 game to the Anaheim Ducks. [Mile High Hockey]/

Do we have to talk about this? Because I feel like we have to talk about this.

Also, do we have to root for the Pittsburgh Penguins now? Kris Letang and Bryan Rust could be back in the lineup for a noon (CDT) game against the St. Louis Blues.

Greetings From Scenic Cedar Park (and Beautiful Boise)

Michael Mersch saved the day in the Texas Stars’ OT victory over the Manitoba Moose last night.

Set a reminder: The Idaho Steelheads vs. the Orlando Solar Bears is the featured game on ECHL Facebook Live tonight.

Finally

The Stars-Mavs mutual-admiration society has expanded. Now Tyler Seguin and Tim Hardaway Jr. are signing each other’s gear. Enjoy

Talking Points