Dallas Stars Daily Links: Stars Bulldoze Blues 4-0 in St. Louis As Preseason Rolls On
Kari gets the shutout as the vets strike back. Plus, Hanzal returns to practice, and the refs are already backing off their officiating spree.
The Dallas Stars racked up four goals from four different players, plus 21 saves from Kari Lehtonen, to shut out a depleted St. Louis Blues lineup 4-0 last night in Scottrade Center.
Coach Ken Hitchcock added more veterans after a more inexperienced group lost 5-1 to the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday. Jason Spezza, playing his first preseason game, also scored his first preseason goal, with Dan Hamhuis, Remi Elie and Mattias Janmark finding twine as well.
Find the full write-up here. [Dallas Stars]
Meanwhile, take a look at this power play goal and feel free to swoon.
The puck movement, the feed from Shore and the finish from Hamhuis. That is a fine looking power play right there. pic.twitter.com/bYUGXYTO66
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) September 24, 2017
More Stars
ICYMI, Martin Hanzal started practicing with the team yesterday. It’s his first practice since he sprained his ankle before the start of training camp. [Stars Inside Edge]
The NHL Network is hinting around at tonight’s Top 50 Players reveal with this Jamie Benn video. Is the Captain part of the #20-11 list? (Who knows, they used John Klingberg highlights to sell the Top 20 defenders and he wasn’t even on it, but try watching anyway.)
We know the impact @jamiebenn14 has for the @DallasStars, but where does he rank on the Top 50 list? #NHLTopPlayers
— NHL (@NHL) September 22, 2017
Sunday:@NHLNetwork
7ET pic.twitter.com/3NFLHpbrj6
Around the league(s)
Well, the NHL experiment in calling every penalty, on every player, every time, is already undergoing some, ahhhhh, adjustments.
After offseason emphasis, #NHL already dialing back slashing penalties, faceoff violations. #NHL https://t.co/zSUSJhNu9h pic.twitter.com/7uTlAp4QQZ
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) September 24, 2017
Meanwhile, the Washington Capitals’ Tom Wilson gets the first suspension of 2017-18 with a two-game sit for interference on the Blues’ Robert Thomas.
Washington’s Tom Wilson suspended two preseason games for interference on St. Louis’ Robert Thomas. https://t.co/fX3mEQgEyU
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) September 23, 2017
Antti Niemi backstopped the Pittsburgh Penguins to a 4-3 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets Friday night, making 31 stops – including one with his bare hand.
Antti Niemi lost his glove, but that didn’t keep him from stopping a shot with his bare hand. Ouch! https://t.co/5yG7Xlep3A
— SB Nation NHL (@SBNationNHL) September 23, 2017
Ottawa Senators captain Erik Karlsson was back on the ice yesterday for the first time since a major offseason ankle surgery.
Captain Erik Karlsson skating today. Big step. #Sens pic.twitter.com/ZcVxE6LmXE
— Bruce Garrioch (@SunGarrioch) September 23, 2017
Say it with me: It’s never too early to start thinking about the NHL Draft. Mackenzie Liddell takes a look.
Answering early questions about the 2018 NHL draft class.https://t.co/KPHWUDscQ4 pic.twitter.com/N574BFPVhW
— Yahoo Sports NHL (@YahooSportsNHL) September 23, 2017
Elsewhere, 2016 No. 4 overall Jesse Puljujarvi stole thunder from the Edmonton Oilers’ other, even higher draft picks with a three-point game against the Winnipeg Jets.
NICE FINNISH! Two goals & an assist from Puljujärvi propelled the #Oilers to a 6-2 victory over the Jets: https://t.co/1OFmsQrusB pic.twitter.com/HHqaMpKWnG
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) September 24, 2017
As you finish your 2017-18 fantasy roster, you might want to compare your picks with Matt Larkin’s final top 200 fantasy list. [The Hockey News]
You know it will happen, and the Arizona Coyotes have decided not to be coy about it: No one else will ever wear Shane Doan’s number 19, although they’re not sure yet when the formal retirement will take place.
#Coyotes to retire Shane Doan’s No. 19 ‘at a time that’s right for him.’https://t.co/q06cn3GzkM pic.twitter.com/Sd39efGxsJ
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) September 24, 2017
The Chinese market has enough perceived value that the NHL presumably will not skip the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. But hockey legend Phil Esposito says the league fell down hard on promoting last week’s China Games.
Esposito: NHL 'blew it' in promotion of China games https://t.co/KO7IZ8dSZs pic.twitter.com/5uVqK01s3C
— theScore NHL (@theScoreNHL) September 23, 2017
Meanwhile, the PyeongChang controversy continues as NBC reveals that the NHL will go dark across every platform during the 2018 Winter Games – a move Larry Brooks interprets as “a symbolic middle finger” to Gary Bettman and Co. [New York Post]
Yikes.https://t.co/guPpqXsX5j pic.twitter.com/W7VcVqgg00
— Sean Tierney (@ChartingHockey) September 24, 2017
Minnesota-born Blake Wheeler is the first NHL player to weigh in on the social-media battle between the Golden State Warriors and the White House.
Winnipeg Jets captain Blake Wheeler the first #NHL player to chime in on President Trump’s tweets https://t.co/mKcfvIYQeU #TSNHockey pic.twitter.com/IMlv60sQcR
— TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) September 23, 2017
Meanwhile, in NHL18, I’ll just leave this here.
The winningest goalie in NHL history is in #NHL18.
— #NHL18 (@EASPORTSNHL) September 23, 2017
Want to win Martin Brodeur's #HUT Legend item? All you have to do is RT! pic.twitter.com/KSK0iCGQPg
Greetings From Scenic Cedar Park
Texas Stars captain Travis Morin and LW Greg Rallo are back in the Austin area to prepare for the T-Stars’ upcoming season – which begins Friday, Oct. 6 with a home game against the Chicago Wolves.
The @DallasStars have released Travis Morin and @GregRallo27 from NHL Training Camp. Both players will report to the #txstars. pic.twitter.com/n0GHgKcnBw
— Texas Stars (@TexasStars) September 23, 2017
It’s also never too early to start planning for February’s Pink in the Rink breast cancer benefit, and this Jason Dickinson goal from 2016 is here to remind you why.
Two years ago, @jdickinson_11 made Pink in the Rink memorable.
— Texas Stars (@TexasStars) September 21, 2017
Will you see what happens this year on Feb. 9th & 10th vs. Tucson?#txstars pic.twitter.com/fVEKakm7oz
Finally
Twenty-five years ago yesterday, 20-year-old goalie Manon Rhéaume became the first woman to play in an NHL game, as a preseason invitee of the Tampa Bay Lightning. This week, she discussed her moment in history with Sportsnet’s Kristina Rutherford. Enjoy.
Manon Rheaume realizes her NHL debut was "not just another game" (via @KrRutherford).
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) September 23, 2017
https://t.co/PUdoN9r32s pic.twitter.com/P30df0LV8P