Well mercifully this is the last week of a disappointing season for the Dallas Stars. Last year the Stars had the best record in the Western Conference but they will miss the playoffs. Arizona comes to town tonight. The Stars have beaten the Coyotes 8 straight at home. Your preview. (Stars Inside Edge)
Mike Heika had his weekly Q&A session topics include: What will be different next season for the Stars, what to do with their goaltending situation and who and where they might pick in this year’s draft. (Sportsday DFW)
NEW PODCAST: It’s the final podcast of the season https://t.co/0ZNk5l6mOK already up in iTunes
— Sean Shapiro (@seanshapiro) April 3, 2017
Defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson will not be in the lineup tonight for the Yotes after being granted a leave of absence due to the death of his mother. (Arizona Coyotes)
Jamie and Jordie Benn reuniting for Stars vs. Canadiens was last week’s @budlight Frozen Moment. pic.twitter.com/zpDo9njB3T
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) April 3, 2017
Tonight will see the return of former Stars Dman Alex Goligoski. He struggled during the early part of the season, but has added plenty assists for the team down the stretch. (Arizona Coyotes)
#OTD in 2000, Brett Hull scored his 610th career goal, tying his father, Bobby, for ninth place on the NHL’s all-time list. #legends pic.twitter.com/T54wbB74e2
— Hockey Hall of Fame (@HockeyHallFame) April 3, 2017
Some roster moves by the Dallas/Texas Stars yesterday:
Dowling Returns, Merchant Released and Caamano Signed to Tryout Agreement: https://t.co/nomhmgMnKB pic.twitter.com/SsPYpmyki7
— #TXStars (@TexasStars) April 3, 2017
In a testament on how much the presence of the Stars have in developing local talent in the DFW area, a team from Friso won the High School Division II Hockey Championships. (Sportsday HS)
Prospect Report https://t.co/RjsU5ixefG via @DallasStars
— Mark Stepneski (@StarsInsideEdge) April 3, 2017
The Montreal Canadiens clinched the Atlantic Division yesterday.
Champions de l’Atlantique! / Champs of the Atlantic! #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/CE4BNNyENP
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) April 4, 2017
Maple Leafs rookie Auston Matthews passed former Dallas/Minnesota Neal Broten for goals by a rookie and now is just 1 short of 40 for the season.
Another special night for Auston Matthews. Most goals by a U.S. born rookie is now his record. pic.twitter.com/AmE3ewh5YK
— Chris Oddo (@TheFanChild) April 4, 2017
The big news yesterday was NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman’s announcement that the league would not be sending NHL players to the 2018 Olympics. Will be interesting to see if individual players still decide to play or not. Capitals forward Alexander Ovechkin has already said he will play for Team Russia. (SB Nation)
NHL: No Olympics!
Alex Ovechkin: pic.twitter.com/sjtgV6gN5m— Rachel L. Cohen (@kat326) April 3, 2017
One hockey writer thinks it is a good thing the NHL stopped waffling about the Olympic participation. (ESPN)
What Team Canada could look like without NHL players if they go with “Plan B”. (The Globe and Mail)
Very strong statement from the @NHLPA here: pic.twitter.com/Ibf2aOvt1B
— James Mirtle (@mirtle) April 4, 2017
With the lack of NHL players in the 2018 Olympics suddenly the host South Korea team becomes one of the favorites with all their North American ringers. (TG&M)
Could the Calgary Flames be the next team to relocate if they don’t get a new arena? (CBC Sports)
The Kings missed the playoffs for the 2nd time in 3 years. So might it time for Coach Darryl Sutter to go? LA had the 3rd best goals against average of 2.40 per game but were 26th in scoring at 2.38. (The Hockey News)
Banner plane flying around #FlaPanthers area: ‘Rowe must go! Call him a cab!’ Obvious reference to Gallant firing. Courtesy: @andyacr 1/2 pic.twitter.com/xqBNrnlL7b
— George Richards (@GeorgeRichards) April 3, 2017
Another team that missed the playoffs after having a great season the year before are the Florida Panthers. So look for Coach Tom Rowe to be dismissed. (Miami Herald)
The ageless Jaromir Jagr would like to return to the Panthers for his 24 NHL season. (Yahoo Sports)
College careers over, top players head directly to NHL, no waiting. @swhyno https://t.co/h2K2lrxIf0
— AP Sports (@AP_Sports) April 4, 2017
Which teams from the Eastern Conference are the hottest right now entering the playoffs? (Sportsnet)
The US Women’s team advanced to the semifinals of the 2017 International Ice Hockey Federation Women’s World Championship with a 5-3 win over Finland. (USA Hockey)
Finally who can’t remember this classic fight between Tie Domi and Bob Probert 21 years ago yesterday.
Bob Probert vs Tie Domi, Chicago Blackhawks at Toronto Maple Leafs Apr 3, 1996 https://t.co/ux2IqfNeXO
— hockeyfights (@hockeyfights) April 3, 2017