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Dallas Stars Daily Links: How Can The Stars Make That Wild Comeback Stick?

Mike Heika examines the areas that need the most improvement. Plus, Dustin Byfuglien’s injury issues, #HockeyHalloween wallpapers FTW, and more.

Did you watch the Dallas Stars’ third period on Tuesday night and say, “Let’s have more of that”? Sure, we all did! But how do the Stars make it stick?

Stars senior staff writer Mike Heika has chosen five things the team need to improve if they want to give fans more of that “Sweet Victory” action:

On the whole, the Stars have been outscored 10-9 in first periods and have been outshot 136-129, so it’s a situation where they can say they have responded well in some game. But that’s part of the issue, there is no real consistency, and at times when you think they will come out and dominate a first period, they often just dip their toe in the water and test the temperature.

Because the team wants to be “relentless” and “hard to play against,” the start of a game seems like a perfect opportunity to impose their will. You don’t have to be necessarily aggressive offensively, but you can be physical, and hard checking in order to infuse energy into a game.

Of note is the powerless power play, which has become such an issue that Montgomery has taken over for assistant coach Todd Nelson:

Dallas is trying all sorts of different things, including having Roope Hintz bring the puck up last game. Expect variety to be the norm for the year, as Dallas has a lot of players with power play success in their past.

Still, the philosophy has to be the same as at even strength, with players attacking the net and forcing chaos and carnage in front of the opposing goalie. Montgomery said he hopes having more practice days helps spark the power play going forward.

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

Stars Stuff

This is how Jamie Benn and his teammates spent the day after that big comeback.

Here’s what it looked like.

And here’s what your phone can look like this Halloween, if you’ll only download.

Around The League(s)

Dial M For #Murder

  • The Colorado Avalanche blew a 3-1 lead in the final 10 minutes and lost 4-3 in OT to another fast-rising squad, the Florida Panthers. [Mile High Hockey]
  • And in Central-on-Central violence, Jordan Binnington made 35 saves to help the St. Louis Blues smother the Minnesota Wild, 2-1. [St. Louis Game Time]/

Last night wasn’t all bad for the Los Angeles Kings, even after a 5-3 loss to the Vancouver Canucks. Thanks, Anze Kopitar, for being the gift that keeps on giving.

John Tavares returned to practice yesterday for the first time since breaking his finger in an October 16 loss to the Washington Capitals.

Are we relitigating the 2015 NHL Draft already? OK.

ICYMI, Tuesday was a big night everywhere, as Andrei Svechnikov became the first player to pull off The Michigan during an NHL game.

Meanwhile, Dustin Byfuglien’s injury issues are bringing his long leave of absence into sharp focus.

Sad news: Jim Gregory, who spent his life in hockey and still never made an enemy, has died. He would have been 84 next week.

Finally

Any time and anywhere a player pulls off a Michigan, it’s worth marking down. Ladies and gentlemen: Canucks prospects Nils Höglander. Enjoy.