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Dallas Stars Daily Links: Pittsburgh Level Their Series with the Rangers

As we all know, a hockey game is played over the course of three 20 minute periods. A fact that has confused many a novice hockey fan and led to shameful looks of reproach from their more experienced brethren when they refer to a period as a ‘quarter’ or an intermission as ‘halftime.’

The Penguins and Rangers game last night however, might as well have had a halftime. Through the first thirty minutes of the game things were fairly even. The Penguins had more opportunities early, but the Rangers had a strong press at the beginning of the second and shot and fancy stat totals were looking pretty comparable. And then Pittsburgh scored just a few seconds after the midway point, and suddenly it was a different game.

That or the New York Rangers just called it a night early. A say that facetiously, but it’s kind of true. New York spent the final 11 minutes and 38 seconds of the game not putting a single shot on goal. Making it very difficult for them to come back from that one two three goal deficit they were facing.

Oh well. Were I them, I’d have been content with splitting the first two games on the road as well.

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41 total shots on goal in the Chicago-Minnesota game last night. Sounds about right for a game involving the Wild. [NHL.com]

Shawn Horcoff’s response when asked about what makes Stars Captain Jamie Benn a great leader? “How much time do you have?” I like that guy. I like both those guys. [Stars Inside Edge]

It was a good weekend to talk about Jamie Benn apparently. Not to be outdone by Mark Stepneski, Mike Heika gets in on the action. [Sports Day DFW]

Round 2 of the Calder Cup Playoffs begin on Thursday for the Texas Stars, as they host fourth-seeded Grand Rapids Griffins. [Texas Stars Hockey]

And working our way down the minor league scale, the Allen Americans won in double overtime to even their series against the Denver Cutthroats. [Sports Day DFW]

Sidney Crosby picking a great time to slump. Luckily, he plays for the Penguins, so it hardly matters. [Puck Daddy]

Sharks GM Doug Wilson has vowed that changes will happen, and they’ll start with… not changing the coaching staff at all… [NHL.com]

I really don’t like olives, but if I were a Blackhawks fan, this would still be awesome. [DNA Info Chicago]

Nothing like a mob of excited opposing team hockey players rushing you after an overtime victory. Ryan O’Reilly gets caught between a rock and an exuberantly thrown high stick. There’s more in this Down Goes Brown article, but that GIF’s just the best… [Grantland]

Sports bets are the greatest. Unless you’re a Sharks fan, in which case you just shouldn’t bet. [High Rank]

And lastly, a little beer league physical comedy, courtesy of the Finnish national team:

Talking Points