Hello! My name is Harlan and I’m one of several new names and faces you’ll see around here in the coming weeks. Hopefully I can make a name for myself around these parts and do Stars fans proud.
Speaking of making a name for yourself, while I wish my debut under better circumstances, instead I’m forced to follow in the footsteps of our Victory+ commentary crew in repeating the name we got tired of hearing almost immediately – Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. It was a banner night for UPL, as he frustrated the Stars pretty much all night. Credit where it’s due to UPL, but the story of the night was really a continuation of an early season trend – our struggles on the power play. The Stars are now 2 of 43 on the man-advantage, unless you’re counting the 2 for 2 last night of 6 on 5. (Can we please count it?)
Friend of DBD Robert Tiffin mused on our struggles last night, and actually brought up an interesting tidbit I’d apparently blocked from my memory:
When we talk about the power play needing to be “better,” we generally mean “create more high-grade chances.” And that’s as good a metric as any, for we all know all shots aren’t created equal. But for Dallas tonight, even quantity over quality might have been a defensible approach, as they somehow got outchanced by the Sabres on each team’s respective 5-on-4s despite Dallas having three power plays to Buffalo’s one.
I mean, you can see the problem, and if you watched the game, then you probably saw lots of problems, as the teams exchanged decent chances early, with the Stars’ typically solid defensive structure withering under the reckless onslaught of a Lindy Ruff team only halfway assembled. That made the power plays all the more crucial for Dallas to establish a foothold in the game, but they weren’t able to do so, and the Sabres eventually got a wonky goal that sent them on their way.
After the game, with regard to the power play, Peter DeBoer demurred a bit, saying that Buffalo simply executed better than Dallas throughout the game. But DeBoer also said a bit more after practice on Monday with regard to a question from Brent Severyn about the power play entries: “The entries have been great. Just too predictable, too slow in the zone.”
Robert Tiffin – Stars Thoughts
More musings from Robert on his blog here.
Stars Stuff
It wasn’t all bad – our blue line got off the mark last night, as Thomas Harley brought one back for the good guys. He also had an incredible goal line save of his own.
Extra credit for doing it all in front of family and friends near his hometown.
And if you’re already needing to move on from this one…here’s something wholesome to cleanse the pallet. (This was from a little over a week ago, but somehow I missed it. It’s either this or I have to keep trying to pronounce Ukka-Pekka Luukkonen, so forgive me.)
Elsewhere in the Central
It was Frozen Frenzy in the NHL, which meant the entire Central Division were on the ice last night. Here’s the quick hits:
- The Winnipeg Jets continue to roll to 6-0-0 over the Blues [LINK]
- Minnesota knocked off the defending champs in Sunrise 5-1, and remain unbeaten on the back of 2024 Goalie scoring leader Filip Gustavsson [LINK]
- The Colorado Avalanche beat the Kraken thanks to a familiar face in Joel Kiviranta. [LINK]
- Utah HC got punched in the mouth early with 4 first period Ottawa goals, and that was all she wrote. [LINK]
- The Preds got off the mark in style against our next opponents the Boston Bruins, winning 4-0 [LINK]
- Finally the Chicago Blackhawks ran into a surging Canucks team, who’ve now won three straight. [LINK]
Around the NHL
Paul Maurice gets his bag.
While I’m wallowing, I’m taking solace in the fact this didn’t happen to us.
Finally, it’s still early in the season, and despite our special teams woes, we’re not panicking in the Big D. But there’s a few others out there, including some familiar faces, that need to take a hard look in the mirror.
ESPN NHL Panic Meters: Should Oilers, Avs, others be worried?
Until next time, friends. Nothing helps get over a loss like a win. Let’s go get the Bruins on Thursday.