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Dallas Stars Daily Links: Stars Clinch Playoff Berth with 6-2 Win Over Blackhawks

We’ve known a playoff spot was in the cards for the Stars for a while now, but it’s still sweet to make it official—especially against the Blackhawks. And with a four-goal first period, the team made it clear early on that they planned to walk out of Chicago with a win. Mike Heika has more on what the victory means.

Dallas is now 16-7-3 against the Central and finished 4-1-0 against the Blackhawks. That’s a pretty good statement after missing the playoffs last season.

“We’ve talked about winning the division is the first step, that’s been one of our goals since camp,” said Stars captain Jamie Benn. “It’s a good test for us.”

Heika also pointed to the team’s depth scoring.

It was a great statement that all four lines found a way to score, and that Lehtonen was great again with 30 saves. Now, the team has to battle for playoff seeding, and more importantly for their best level heading into the post-season.

You can rewatch all the playoff-clinching fun with Stars Rewind.

And here’s Razor on the Stars becoming the Blackhawks to defeat the Blackhawks.

For more on the win and x-Dallas, head to the link. [SportsDayDFW]

It’s never too early to start thinking about playoff tickets. [Stars]

Feelings between Patrick Sharp and Brent Seabrook may not be so fond after last night’s game, but the former teammates were certainly getting along for a while yesterday.

How did the Stars make it back to the playoffs this year? From the young guns to Lindy Ruff’s guidance, here are the top five reasons why. [SportsDayDFW]

In Sports Illustrated’s latest power rankings, the Predators keep climbing as the playoffs approach, and the Stars jumped two spots to ninth place. [SI]

Sportsnet counts down a few important players who might be making their NHL postseason debut this year—including our very own John Klingberg. [Sportsnet]

For your listening pleasure: Sean Shapiro chatted with Texas Stars goalie Maxime Lagace.

Don’t tell any Drew Doughty fans, but there’s a reason he hasn’t been winning the Norris Trophy. [Sportsnet]

Focus and intensity are the watchwords for the Capitals as the regular season winds down and the playoffs loom. [ESPN]

Senators owner Eugene Melnyk didn’t hold back when talking about the changes in store for Ottawa—”nobody is safe,” if you ask Melnyk. [Puck Daddy]

Maple Leafs forward P.A. Parenteau face-planted on a breakaway, and his teammates reacted like you probably did.

With Nathan MacKinnon and Matt Duchene missing at least two more games with knee injuries, the Avalanche are in trouble. [The Hockey News]

And with that in mind, it’s time to cast your vote: Will the Wild or the Avalanche grab the final wildcard spot in the West? [Sportsnet]

Kevin Westgarth, former NHL enforcer, talks about his new role as the NHL’s vice president of business development and international affairs. [LA Times]

I hope you didn’t think the Connor McDavid vs. Jack Eichel debate was over. Here’s how the two rookies stack up in six different categories. [NHL]

And finally, congratulations are in order for fearless captain Jamie Benn. (And go ahead and add two assists to that total.)

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