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Dallas Stars Daily Links: PKO

Posted on by Harlan Bowling
Dec 16, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Stars left wing Jamie Benn (14) and Washington Capitals right wing Tom Wilson (43) look for the puck at center ice during the first period at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

It’s a love/hate relationship.

I was in the building for last night’s matchup against the Caps, and honestly I wasn’t sure which Stars team I was there to see. Would I see a team reminiscent of last year’s never-say-die, never count us out crew that won the Central Division? Or would I see a team continue to struggle to find an identity with its underperforming Stars (both lowercase and uppercase)? Thankfully, it was the former, as several of our lowercase stars stepped up and performed heroically against one of the top teams in the league right now.

Mike Heika agreed…

In defeating one of the top teams in the league – as well as the flu bug – Dallas needed some huge performances from big players.

Roope Hintz tallied two goals, Jason Robertson had two assists, Jake Oettinger made 25 saves, rookie defenseman Lian Bichsel scored his second goal in his third NHL game, and Esa Lindell played more than 30 minutes, including 7:58 shorthanded. That all added up to a 3-1 win over the Washington Capitals, who came in as one of the hottest teams in hockey.

I’m not sure how many minutes Lindell played in the third period alone, but his last few shifts were Herculean. Add in the two goals from Hintz and the two assists from Robertson, and we got a much needed boost from some guys who really need to be providing it more often. Hopefully that gives some confidence to get it going.

Catch more from Heika over at NHL.com here.

More Dallas Stars

I went Lian Bichsel-heavy in my last links post, but truth be told, I might have to keep doing it if he keeps this up.

I wasn’t aware before the game of the connection between Otter and Charlie Lindgren – hometown buddies from Lakeville, Minnesota. (Also, catch the shoutout to Esa as the “Ovi of PKs”.)

Elsewhere in the Central

It was a light night in the whole NHL last night, but we did have the fortune of having the only other Central Division game end in a loss, as the Colorado Avalanche dropped a game to the Vancouver Canucks on the back of a Kiefer Sherwood hat trick. [RECAP]

Around the NHL

It may have been a quiet night last night, but it won’t be tonight. Here’s the slate for Tuesday night.

The Stanley Cup rematch didn’t disappoint. And that Sam Reinhart goal, whew.

Bleacher Report put out a conversation-worthy report on their All-Star Team if the game were happening this year.

Greetings from Scenic Cedar Park and Beautiful Boise!

It’s a good time to be a Stars fan when we have this kind of young depth in the ranks.

The boys in Boise lost a tough series to Tulsa this week, but on the bright side, remember what I said about an embarrassment of riches in the depth department?

Finally

Some holiday fun to help celebrate a Stars win!

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