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Dallas Stars Daily Links: Trapped

The Stars stumbled out of the gate during their latest Cali road trip. Mike Heika examines the results.

Posted on by Kathleen Tibbetts
Feb 4, 2025; Anaheim, California, USA; Dallas Stars center Mikael Granlund (64) skates with the puck around the net during the third period of a hockey game against the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Jessica Alcheh-Imagn Images
Jessica Alcheh-Imagn Images

You cannot win them all, and the Dallas Stars reminded us of that fact with last night’s 2-1 loss to the Anaheim Ducks.

To be fair, the Disney Squad isn’t even the worst team in the Pacific Division this year — and let’s face it, John Gibson is still John Gibson (although why John Gibson is still a Duck is one of those mysteries that doesn’t bear a great deal of contemplation). But that doesn’t fully excuse the Stars’ self-inflicted problems and their generally lackluster performance in a matchup they probably should have won.

Stars senior staff writer Mike Heika examined a game in which the Stars “made some mistakes and didn’t make it hard enough on Anaheim” in his latest article:

“They’re a hard-working team and when you’re not on top of your game, and really clicking and connecting, they’re going to make you turn over pucks, and we did too much of that,” said forward Sam Steel, who assisted on the Stars’ only goal. “[Gibson] played great, but I think we were a little too easy on him.”

That said, it’s perhaps predictable that the Stars are a little tired and out of sorts considering their schedule and the impact of injuries:

The Stars are playing three road games in California before heading into a two-week break for the 4 Nations Face-Off. They have been in a tough part of the schedule, suffered some key injuries, and added two players on Saturday in a trade with San Jose. Cody Ceci and Mikael Granlund flew in Saturday night, played Sunday at home, flew to California on Monday with the team and played again on Tuesday. It’s been a bit of a whirlwind for everyone.

“We didn’t have great legs tonight,” [head coach Pete] DeBoer said. “We made a big trade last week. Those guys flew across the country to Dallas and then we flew all the way back here to California for the first game. You get this close to a break, I’m sure your mind starts to wander about what you’re going to do. I didn’t love our execution or our focus tonight, and to their credit, they were good.”

There’s always more at Mike’s place. [Dallas Stars]

Stars Stuff

Yeah, we’re trying not to think about it, either. But Robert Tiffin has some reading on Miro Heiskanen’s injury status.

Tuesday Dallas Stars Roundup: Miro Heiskanen's knee surgery, Mikael Granlund's versatility, and John Gibson's history www.starsthoughts.com/p/tuesday-da…

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— Robert Tiffin (@tiffin.bsky.social) February 4, 2025 at 3:38 PM

Tyler Seguin, girl dad.

In On The #Kill Taker

The Dirty Central was busy last night. Here’s what happened while you weren’t sleeping:

  • The Minnesota Wild laid an egg in TD Garden, losing 3-0 to the Boston Bruins. Jeremy Swayman was in net for the shutout. [The Pioneer Press]
  • The St. Louis Blues took it to overtime, but couldn’t stop Connor Brown’s game-winning shot, losing to the Edmonton Oilers 3-2. [NHL]
  • Nino Niederreiter had a two-point night and Eric Comrie made 29 saves as the Winnipeg Jets blanked the Carolina Hurricanes 3-0. [NHL]
  • Utah Hockey Club took it to overtime and gutted out a 3-2 win over the Philadelphia Flyers; Dylan Guenther scored both the equalizer and the OT winner. [Deseret News]
  • And the Colorado Avalanche suffered a 3-0 shutout at the hands of the Vancouver Canucks, on the back of Thatcher Demko’s 25 saves. [The Denver Post]

Around The Leagues

Do you like this idea better than the traditional All-Star Week? And do you plan to watch?

Greetings From Scenic Cedar Park, And Beautiful Boise!

Meanwhile, in the AHL, All-Star Week is over. It’s back to the action for the Texas Stars….

Back to our regularly scheduled rivalries… This weekend in Texas, we've got a Central Division showdown featuring the Rockford IceHogs! Friday is $3 Beer Night! Saturday is the Stars sustainable mouse pad giveaway courtesy of WM! 🎟 : bit.ly/TXSFan24

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— Texas Stars (@texasstars.bsky.social) February 4, 2025 at 2:55 PM

Player-coach Tomas Sholl, a former ECHL Goaltender of the Year, played his last professional game with the Idaho Steelheads last week. Is a full-time career behind the bench in his future?

Finally

If you’re reading this, you may be in time to use it. Best of luck.

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