It’s official: The Dallas Stars’ Kryptonite is overtime against the Nashville Predators.
As soon as the latest contest of Aliens vs. Predators went to OT, Stars fans everywhere experienced the sinking feeling of another imminent loss. The Dallas Morning News’ Matthew DeFranks summed it up in cold numbers:
If the Stars miss the playoffs, the 11 overtime losses will be staring back at Dallas. They’ve failed to execute in 3 on 3 overtime, and they haven’t been able to produce big goals or big saves in the shootout. If Sunday’s loss truly does decide the Stars season, it’s fitting that it came in overtime or a shootout.
The Stars are 2-11 in games past regulation. The Predators are 8-1. That’s the entire difference between the two teams, and then some.
And while it’s tempting to fall back on the “three games in hand” folderol, there are more ineluctable facts where that came from:
Sunday night’s game was the biggest one of the season for both Dallas and Nashville. According to MoneyPuck, it was the game that most impacted playoff odds across the league this season.
A regulation win would have moved the Stars three points back of the Predators with three games in hand, soundly placing their postseason destiny in their own hands. A regulation loss would have pushed the Predators seven points clear of the Stars, a sizable gulf with 16 games remaining and only one left between the two teams.
The Stars have been playing for their playoff lives for the last two months, but no games reached the magnitude of Sunday’s.
Matt has more. [SportsDayDFW]
Stars Stuff
Captain America is at least as fed up as you are.
Pavelski on ‘frustrating’ struggles past regulation https://t.co/FpLfsZNFE0 via @NHL
— Mike Heika (@MikeHeika) April 12, 2021
Meanwhile, the Big Rig had a game to remember. Will that bring trade pressure from teams who are already gaming out their playoffs run?
Oleksiak: Stars ‘can be proud of the way we battled’ https://t.co/GwaC8065Cy via @NHL
— Mike Heika (@MikeHeika) April 12, 2021
It could happen.
Defensemen to keep an eye on today: Dmitry Kulikov (NJD), Michael Del Zotto (CBJ) and Jamie Oleksiak (DAL).
As of yesterday, I heard Dallas was still undecided on whether to move Oleksiak or not, so that’s a situation to watch.
— Emily Kaplan (@emilymkaplan) April 12, 2021
Around The Leagues
Other than Stars-Preds, the #Disco was closed last night. So let’s get straight to the other headlines….
The Columbus Blue Jackets traded Nick Foligno and David Savard, and here’s why the transaction had to be laundered through the San Jose Sharks.
Nick Foligno was acquired by the Maple Leafs on Sunday in a three-team trade involving the Blue Jackets and Sharks. Columbus received a first-round pick in the 2021 NHL Draft and a fourth-round pick in the 2022 NHL Draft from Toronto.https://t.co/pbQzbiYYM2
— NHL.com (@NHLdotcom) April 11, 2021
And while Foligno landed with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Savard is suiting up with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
We have acquired defenseman David Savard in a multi-team trade with the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Detroit Red Wings. https://t.co/5tYIISleym
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) April 10, 2021
Who Won The Trade: Leafs Edition
Nick Foligno (to Toronto in threeway deal with various picks and retentions) is an extremely good defensive forward. Do not expect him to score much but he will help Toronto a lot. pic.twitter.com/dCPthTeTjN
— Micah Blake McCurdy (@IneffectiveMath) April 11, 2021
Who Won The Trade: Jackets Edition
So Jarmo Kekalainen got:
Two 1st round picks
A 3rd round pick
A 4th round pickfor Nick Foligno and David Savard as rentals?
Well done. #CBJ
— Brennan Klak (@nhlupdate) April 11, 2021
Henrik Lundqvist won’t return this season, and the Washington Capitals may be in the market for a third goalie with playoffs experience.
“Training has been going really well and I’ve been feeling good — but my heart isn’t quite ready”
Henrik Lundqvist says inflammation around his heart requires a few months of rest and recovery, so he won’t suit up for the Capitals this season https://t.co/yFMRQrDxUC
— Hockey Night in Canada (@hockeynight) April 11, 2021
Elsewhere, the Vegas Golden Knights’ Sunday win over the Arizona Coyotes meant a huge milestone for Marc-Andre Fleury.
It’s all coming up fours for Marc-Andre Fleury.
Fleury (484 in 875 GP) earned the 484th win of his career to move into a tie with Ed Belfour (963 GP) for fourth place on the NHL’s all-time list. #NHLStats: https://t.co/fnnmXu1Gax pic.twitter.com/ltHgaESK4c
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) April 11, 2021
The Florida Panthers picked up Nikita Gusev on waivers. “But can his playmaking ability overcome his lack of defense?” I hear you ask….
Panthers sign Nikita Gusev to 1-year, $1M contract. https://t.co/AB4eqJHiMK pic.twitter.com/dy0RBZiJVX
— theScore (@theScore) April 11, 2021
Former Star and Calder Cup hero Patrik Nemeth has rejoined the Colorado Avalanche, who also nabbed netminder Devan Dubnyk from the waiver wire.
We aim to be prepared. #GoAvsGohttps://t.co/OKbba2EoSM
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) April 10, 2021
Greetings From Scenic Cedar Park
Speaking of Texas hockey and hard-to-solve teams…I give you the Texas Stars and the Colorado Eagles.
Texas Stars Drop Below .500 with 4-1 Loss in Loveland https://t.co/xiYsXkYJzu #txstars pic.twitter.com/450PxItmyO
— 100 Degree Hockey (@100degreehockey) April 12, 2021
Finally
Yeah, it’s like that. Enjoy, or something.
When you wake up a 6am, but now it’s 10am and there’s still no trades pic.twitter.com/xWjaJqUj0x
— The Hockey News (@TheHockeyNews) April 12, 2021