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Dallas Stars Daily Links: Radek Faksa Talks “Amazing” First Few Games

Now with four NHL games under his belt, Radek Faksa talked with Mark Stepneski about getting the initial call-up and what his playing experience has been like.

Radek Faksa was preparing for his second game of the season in the AHL when word came he was getting called up to the Dallas Stars, and he wasn’t going to be an extra body. He was expected to play.

“I had goosebumps right away when they told me that,” Faksa said.

Four games into his first NHL stint, the goosebumps don’t seem to have faded for Faksa.

“The first few games have been amazing,” he said. “I appreciate every game, every shift in the NHL. It is a pleasure to play here. I am very happy to be here.”

Faksa isn’t the only one happy that he’s in Dallas. Coach Lindy Ruff praised the forward’s effort so far.

“I’ve really liked his play in his own end. He’s been real heavy on the puck, which means he has been winning a lot of the battles, and he is coming up with those 50-50 pucks,” Ruff said. “[Thursday night in Pittsburgh] he was good on faceoffs, and I stuck him out there for a key faceoff draw, so those areas have been real good. For any young player, he’s got to be able to play in his own end, and Radek has done a real nice job for us.”

For more on Faksa and his journey to the NHL, head over to the link. [Stars Inside Edge]

The Stars continue their homestand tonight against the Ducks at 7:30 p.m. If you’re still waffling on whether to get tickets, here’s some alcoholic incentive.

To prepare for the game, read up on Ales Hemsky’s hip health, potential lines, and much more. [Stars]

Mike Heika answered all of your Dallas Stars questions in his weekly chat. [DMN]

I hope that y’all aren’t starting to get sick of reading about the importance of strong starts because Josh Bogorad sheds some light on the topic in the latest On the Radar post. [Stars]

Over at Grantland, Sean McIndoe catches us up on what happened this past weekend, and ranks the Stars among the league’s current best teams. Dallas’s opponent for tonight does not fare quite as well. [Grantland]

The Coyotes had a little fun with rookie Max Domi during his return to Toronto’s Air Canada Centre, where he won a WJC gold and his father Tie Domi served as a Leafs enforcer.

The Sabres will be without Evander Kane—who owned up to asking out of Winnipeg every season—for four to six weeks after the forward injured his MCL. [NHL]

After a scary situation on Saturday, the FlyersMichael Raffl returned to practice Monday and expects to play in Philly’s game tonight. [Broad Street Hockey]

Catch up with top 2016 prospect Auston Matthews so you can sound super informed when the draft rolls around. [Sports Illustrated]

Having a not-so-great week? Don’t worry, KHL rookie Vadim Kudako is having a worse one.

Connor McDavid got the chance to learn firsthand on Sunday that video replay in the NHL isn’t always fair. [Sportsnet]

In Central Division news, the Predators signed defenseman Mattias Ekholm to a six-year, $22.5 million contract extension. [Predators]

And finally, alligators are scary, but I’d like to see Jeremy Roenick try this with Derian Hatcher.

Talking Points