The Dallas Stars lost their Round 1 opener. Yeah, that’s right. Settle down.
Look, we can talk all we want about bad officiating and sawft calls and Mark Stone’s annual return from the dead. But Round 1 is just getting started, and the Dallas Stars are actually pretty good at playing from behind. So let’s get a handle on this whole Vegas thing.
David Castillo and Sean Shapiro cut to the chase in their new game overview, now up at D Magazine. And they’d like to remind us that this is looking very much like a long series. Sean goes first with a reminder that Captain Twilight is, au fond, a tangent to the plot:
The Mark Stone narrative, frustratingly, will be spoken about a ton over the next couple of days. While it is a story, it’s not the one the Stars or their fans should really focus on moving forward in the series. Like it or not, cap manipulation is part of the NHL, which means that dwelling too much on whether Stone could or could not have played before the postseason should be classified as outside noise.
What does matter is Vegas’ hockey on Monday wasn’t good hockey. It was survival, and while national broadcasters may have gushed about Vegas playing with a defending champion’s mettle, I’m sure Bruce Cassidy is thrilled to have won a game when his team generated only 15 shots on goal.
Meanwhile, David points to the telltales that may be a sign of things to come:
If you want to feel reassurance … it was definitely there. On Vegas’ end, [VGK netminder Logan] Thompson didn’t have the presence of a playoff starter, something that would have felt more pronounced had Dallas actually challenged him more. On the Stars’ end, Wyatt Johnston and Logan Stankoven looked like two players who wanted the Cup even more than the veterans. Heck, it might even be time to give them the top line’s minutes. (Johnston actually led all forwards in ice time with 18 minutes.)
Being discouraged is not being defeated…. That would be true for any team. But it’s doubly true for the Western Conference’s best team.
Read the whole thing, and favorite StrongSide while you’re at it. [D Magazine]
Stars Stuff
Mike Heika brings the wrapup, and the video, for Game 1 – and what the Stars need to do with the experience.
The Story So Far – Round 1
- Auston Matthews’ three-point night led the Toronto Maple Leafs to a series-tying victory over the Boston Bruins, 3-2. [The Toronto Star]
- Meanwhile, the Carolina Hurricanes took a two-game lead over the New York Islanders, coming back from a 3-0 deficit to a 5-3 win. [Associated Press]
- And McJesus got a chance to shine in the Edmonton Oilers’ 7-4 series opener over the Los Angeles Kings, becoming the first player in 26 years to earn five assists in a playoffs game. [NHL]
Around The Leagues
The Battle of Florida respectfully requests your attention. Don’t make it spleen-punch you.
Sean McIndoe is on something of a roll when it comes to Oddly Specific Predictions.
While you’re consuming your Stanley Cup Playoffs produkt, Stars prospect Lian Bichsel would like to remind you that playoffses are happening in Sweden, too.
Greetings From Scenic Cedar Park – And Beautiful Boise
The Texas Stars are next up. Their Round 1 battle with the Manitoba Moose begins tonight in H-E-B Center.
Meanwhile, up North, the Idaho Steelheads began their 2024 Kelly Cup campaign with a 6-5 OT win against the Allen Americans. Here’s the sparkle reel.
Finally
Just a reminder that the Jamie Benn who can do this is the Jamie Benn who’s suiting up for this series. Enjoy.