Are the Dallas Stars peaking at the right moment? They’re on the cusp of advancing to the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs for the second season in a row. They’re finding their rhythm and look as ready to close the deal as they’re ever likely to be.
But there’s still plenty of work to do, and the Stars can’t let up for a moment – as their own recent playoffs history shows. In his latest piece, The Dallas Morning News’ Matthew DeFranks examines the moments when the Victory Green Gang rose to the occasion, or didn’t:
During the 2019 postseason, they led Nashville and St. Louis 3-2 heading into Game 6. John Klingberg ended the Predators’ season with an overtime rocket in the first round. But in the second round, the Blues stomped Dallas 4-1 at home before ousting the Stars in double overtime in Game 7….
“Against Nashville, it was our first taste of that seeing an opposing team come at you with everything they’ve got,” Tyler Seguin said. “It’s the hardest game to win. In that Nashville game, we went after them. St. Louis, I thought in that Game 6, we kind of stood back a little bit and they won that game and forced a Game 7. We’ve got to be ready to attack that team.”
It may help that the Stars seem to know they’re the better team and are keeping their heads in the current weirdness of their environment:
After a Game 3 loss in a contest the Stars should have won, Bowness exuded calmness because he knew that if the Stars played that way for the rest of the series, Dallas would be victorious. They hadn’t shown the ability to be so dominant consistently — without superhuman goaltending or significant special teams help — during an up-and-down season. But they have in the last week, throttling the Flames.
One more win moves the Stars to the second round in consecutive seasons for the first time since they did it four straight seasons from 1997-2001. Just as they deserve to be.
Matt has more. [SportsDayDFW]
Stars Stuff
Mattias Janmark is a goldang hero, and Matt’s other new article tells you why.
From taking a slap shot off his heel to assisting the game-winning goal, Mattias Janmark provides huge lift for Stars@MDeFranks | #GoStars https://t.co/B7q8womjr9
— SportsDay Stars (@dmn_stars) August 19, 2020
This is a fun stat that I will just leave here for you.
The @DallasStars hold a 3-2 lead in a best-of-seven #StanleyCup Playoffs series for the 11th time in franchise history.
They went 8-2 in the 10 previous series, including eight instances where the clinching win was earned in Game 6. #NHLStats pic.twitter.com/uFFyUBe9wG
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) August 19, 2020
So this happened: The Stars signed Northeastern University standout Ryan Shea to an ELC.
We have signed defenseman Ryan Shea to a two-year, entry-level contract https://t.co/glrM9Kwpvm
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) August 19, 2020
Shorter Shapiro: They’re getting a good deal.
Ryan Shea decided not to sign with Chicago, on Sunday and Monday he had conference calls with five NHL teams. By Tuesday he knew he wanted to be a Star. So what are the Stars getting with new prospect Ryan Shea? https://t.co/0QsTyrah4D
— Sean Shapiro (@seanshapiro) August 19, 2020
Around The League(s)
In On The #Kill Taker
- The Chicago Blackhawks made an unlikely comeback late this season – but it ended last night with the Vegas Golden Knights’ series-winning 4-3 victory. [Second City Hockey]/
Meanwhile, Alex Ovechkin is still out there doing Alex Ovechkin things. The Washington Capitals kept their series alive with a 3-2 win over the New York Islanders.
With his goals last night, Alex Ovechkin passes Sidney Crosby and Gordie Howe for all-time playoff goals with 69. Nice. https://t.co/9wbnSogqzy pic.twitter.com/fuFdmstAj1
— Hockey Night in Canada (@hockeynight) August 19, 2020
Can the Columbus Blue Jackets keep themselves in the hunt against the Tampa Bay Lightning? We’ll know this afternoon as Game 5 begins.
Joonas Korpisalo and the Blue Jackets look to stave off elimination against the Lightning to stay alive in the #StanleyCup Playoffs.
Follow along with our @VWcanada NHL Live Tracker ➡️ https://t.co/QQxPUrfgYb pic.twitter.com/Fdt95Nihcp
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) August 19, 2020
If you love 31 Thoughts, you’ll no doubt be glad that there’s a new Marek & Friedman podcast up now.
🏒 New 31 Thoughts Podcast 🏒@JeffMarek and @FriedgeHNIC are joined by former NHLer @7bmo to talk about playing with the Sedins, his favourite memory of the West Coast Express line, and some contract dispute stories about two well-known GMs.
🎧 LISTEN: https://t.co/ebvuqASRUO pic.twitter.com/zXhYhihFTo
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) August 17, 2020
Awful news: Winnipeg Jets great Dale Hawerchuk has lost his battle with cancer at age 57.
Dale Hawerchuk, the leading scorer in the first iteration of the Jets and a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame, has died at the age of 57, his son Eric announced. https://t.co/qFrbubMUn0
— NHL.com (@NHLdotcom) August 18, 2020
Ken Wiebe writes about the legacy of Manitoba’s favorite son.
It’s hard to imagine there being a bigger or better ambassador for the province of Manitoba than Dale Hawerchuk.
He is one of us, writes @WiebesWorld, and his contributions both on and off the ice won’t ever be forgotten.https://t.co/ogRVC7Typp
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) August 19, 2020
Finally
Never forget how Mattias Janmark has suffered for your sake.
Any hockey player knows Mattias Janmark’s pain… #GoStars pic.twitter.com/UlAXTh4rP5
— SportsDay Stars (@dmn_stars) August 18, 2020