So the Dallas Stars are back on the goalie carousel…sort of. With Jake Oettinger growing into his role and Scott Wedgewood in the wings, will the team have enough net assets for the postseason run they want?
Stars senior staff writer Mike Heika reviews the situation, in case you haven’t been able to watch any games this season:
The organization started with three veteran goalies and a youngster in the minors and then had to make a trade deadline acquisition of veteran Scott Wedgewood just to get things squared away for a potential playoff run. You can see how it looks from the outside.
But if you dig a little deeper, there’s some logic involved in this jagged path, and there’s some hope that maybe it can all work out in the end.
The main logic is that Jake Oettinger is a clear No. 1 – and to ensure that he’s fresh for a potential playoffs battle, Heika writes:
The 23-year-old has endured a gauntlet of games and proven himself more than worthy. Does that mean he’ll be ready if the team does make the postseason? Well, we won’t know until we get there.
But the best way to make sure he’s ready is to allow the coaching staff and Oettinger to work through the final 20 games in a manner that’s best for gathering points and for making sure he’s refreshed and ready to go. Adding Wedgewood helps a great deal with that.
There’s more at Mike’s place. [Dallas Stars]
Stars Stuff
Well, damn.
Due to a change in our travel schedule, Jason Robertson’s appearance scheduled for Sunday at the Samsung Experience Store at Stonebriar Centre in Frisco has been postponed to a later date.
Please visit https://t.co/xdeoKFMov2 for the latest info.
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) March 23, 2022
Around The Leagues
In On The #Kill Taker
- The Colorado Avalanche got clotheslined 3-1 by the Vancouver Canucks, thanks in part to a two-point game from J.T. Miller and 32 saves by Jaroslav Halak. [Mile High Hockey]
- And Patrick Kane got a goal and two assists as the Chicago Blackhawks downed the Anaheim Ducks, 4-2. [Second City Hockey]/
So Auston Matthews is back on the ice, and he just joined some pretty elite company, Toronto Maple Leafs-wise.
80 for 34.
27 for 16.@AM34 matched a career high with his 80th point of the season, while @Marner93 set a personal best with his 27th goal of the campaign.#NHLStats: https://t.co/YRQ74inyU5 pic.twitter.com/lCaADmhQUr— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) March 24, 2022
Meanwhile, a “disheartened” Jonathan Toews may be reimagining his career as his 1,000th NHL game draws nigh.
Jonathan Toews is just starting the process of figuring out what he wants his future to be.
But even at this early stage, Toews’ future with the Blackhawks looks quite uncertain.
New story: https://t.co/vveNmm67gn
— Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) March 23, 2022
Who came out on top after the NHL trade deadline? Jason Chen updates the power rankings.
The NHL trade deadline is going to shake things up leading to the playoffs. But for now, a familiar face is back at the top of @jasonchen16’s power rankings: https://t.co/eg7vtR79W2
— The Hockey News (@TheHockeyNews) March 24, 2022
Greetings From Beautiful Boise
The Idaho Steelheads, who are looking good for the Kelly Cup playoffs at this point, got back-to-back hat tricks from Ryan Dmowski and Will Merchant in consecutive victories.
RECAP: The Merch Man cashes in his receipts for just the third back-to-back hat-trick performance in the team’s @ECHL era last done during the 2009-10 season.#FeelTheSteel https://t.co/xu2IideHY8
— Idaho Steelheads (@Steelheads) March 24, 2022
Finally
Yesterday was Joel Kiviranta’s birthday, and it’s always worth remembering why they call him The Finnisher. Enjoy.