Comments / New

Dallas Stars Daily Links: How Dallas Can Take The Advantage Against Calgary

Posted on by Kathleen Tibbetts

The Dallas Stars have overcome plenty of problems during their Round 1 series with the Calgary Flames, but Jason Robertson’s four-game goal drought is still out there.

It’s an unexpected dilemma for the 22-year-old forward, whose 41-goal regular season may be the reason the Stars made the postseason in the first place. The Dallas Morning News’ Matthew DeFranks examined the issue in his latest article:

During Game 4, Stars coach Rick Bowness shuffled the lines in the third period, which included breaking up the top line of Robertson, Roope Hintz and Joe Pavelski. After the game, Bowness said the Stars were “trying to free up Robo a little bit. He’s struggling, there’s no question.”

On Tuesday afternoon, before the team’s flight to Calgary, Bowness said to expect that the top line be broken up for Game 5.

What will it take to reboot Robo? He’s working on it, too:

…“It’s going to be a lot tighter and it’s playoffs. All I can do now is re-watch what I did and have my teammates to help support me and the coaches to tell me what to do better.” [Robertson said]…

“You go through, for whatever reason, a slump or a matchup or a low-scoring series and you don’t produce and you want to produce more,” [linemate Joe] Pavelski said. “So things get looked at certain ways. At the end of the day, you’ve got to work to get your opportunities and produce when you can. Ultimately, it comes down to wins, so you’ve got to help the team some way to come out on top that night.”

Matt has more. [SportsDayDFW]

Stars Stuff

Here’s how to follow tonight’s game, in a format that shows how completely the Stars have embraced the comic-book identity.

Meanwhile, DFW residents (or those just willing to make the trip) can join the party downtown.

Around The Leagues

About Last Night…In Playoffs Action

  • The Carolina Hurricanes took back the Metropolitan Division series lead with a 5-1 win over the Boston Bruins. [Canes Country]
  • The Toronto Maple Leafs stormed back from a two-goal deficit to take a 4-3 victory against the Tampa Bay Lightning. [Pension Plan Puppets]
  • In Central-on-Central violence, the St. Louis Blues struck again, taking a 3-2 series lead with a 5-2 decision over the Minnesota Wild. [Hockey Wilderness]
  • And the Los Angeles Kings keep daring to dream, returning to the lead in the Pacific Division with a 5-4 win in overtime against the Edmonton Oilers. [Copper And Blue]/

Wrong answers only.

The Stars-Flames series has been upgraded from “sweep” to “anyone’s guess,” apparently.

The players have spoken, and they want Lindy Ruff. Will he keep his job as New Jersey Devils bench boss?

The 2022 Calder Trophy finalists are out – what do you think?

Elsewhere, Joe Thornton still leads a highly competitive Old Guy Without A Cup race – but Joe Pavelski is barreling up on him.

Greetings From Scenic Cedar Park

The Texas Stars’ postseason has ended, but 11 of their best are stepping up for the big team.

Finally

Just a reminder that it can always be worse. Or better, depending on your POV. Enjoy.

Talking Points