After rallying to score two goals in the third period and force overtime, the Stars couldn’t grab that second point and fell to the Devils 3-2. Mike Heika recapped the loss, which didn’t draw much criticism from coach Lindy Ruff.
“In the end, it’s a good point,” said Stars coach Lindy Ruff. “I thought Jersey played a heck of a game. They played a smart game, and I’ve got to give them a lot of credit. We made a good push to get back in it. At the end, you have to find ways to get points, and we found a point.”
Heika also pointed out the good news—hitting 60 points—and the bad—the team’s road losing streak.
The Stars push their record to 28-8-4 and become the first team in the NHL to reach 60 points. On the bad side, they have lost three straight on the road, and they are discovering that teams like Columbus and New Jersey will give their best game, especially in their own barn.
For the rest, head to the link. [SportsDayDFW]
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There’s no rest to be had for the Stars, who play the Islanders today at 4 p.m. But before we worry about that game, here’s Razor’s take on last night’s loss.
Johnny Oduya, who began his NHL career with the Devils, talked about his early days in New Jersey and the effect it’s had on him. [SportsDayDFW]
Also from Heika—how Jamie Benn rocketed to the top of the league in 2015. [SportsDayDFW]
After being sent to the Steelheads, Jack Campbell.
Jack Campbell now 2-1 with a 1.67 GAA and .952 SV% in 3 games since being sent to @Steelheads and the ECHL.
— Sean Shapiro (@seanshapiro) January 3, 2016
Stars rookie Mattias Janmark landed a spot among the top 10 debuts of 2015-16. [The Hockey News]
The #MDK just keeps rolling right along in 2016.
- In their first game of 2016, the Maple Leafs defeated the Blues 4-1. [Toronto Star]
- The Lightning and the Wild needed a shootout to decide things, but Tampa Bay left the ice with a 3-2 victory and two points. [Star Tribune]
- The Predators beat the Hurricanes 2-1 for their first 3-on-3 overtime victory. [The Tennessean]
- The Flames had no trouble taking down the Avalanche, winning 4-0. [Denver Post]
- The Jets handed the Sharks a 4-1 loss. [Winnipeg Free Press]
Here are your All-Star Game captains.
NHL ASG Captains Atlantic: Jagr Metro: Ovechkin Central: Kane Pacific: John fn Scott
— Sean Leahy (@Sean_Leahy) January 2, 2016
The full ASG roster will be released Wednesday, and in the meantime, Sportsnet’s Mark Spector argues that John Scott being named an All-Star isn’t so bad after all. [Sportsnet]
Lightning forward Jonathan Drouin, who has eight points in 19 games this season, has been assigned to the AHL’s Syracuse Crunch. [Raw Charge]
First, make sure you read Huw’s WJC updates. Then, learn a little bit more about what happened yesterday. [NHL]
Your main takeaway, though, is probably going to be this:
Finland beats Canada 6-5 … for the first time since 1998 Canada doesn’t makes the semis at #WorldJuniors
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) January 2, 2016
Loui Eriksson‘s reputation of being under-appreciated continues. How does that affect his future with the Bruins? [Puck Daddy]
Although the Stars received a nod as one of the league’s “serious threats” to win it all, the Capitals take the cake as early Cup favorites. [The Hockey News]
Referee Rob Martell hit a milestone in his final regular-season game.
Referee Rob Martell is skating his 1,000th & final NHL regular season game tonight in @mnwild/@TBLightning #MINvsTBL pic.twitter.com/hHrbX2ejUQ
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) January 3, 2016
Bill Foley talks about the potential Las Vegas expansion, the process so far, and what’s still to come. [Las Vegas Review-Journal]
And finally, Jaromir Jagr continues to win at Twitter.
Fans-I was afraid,that 3on3 all-Star game may kill me,now,I am more afraid,fighting John Scott 6,8 300 during All-Star, kill me for sure
— Jaromir Jagr (@68Jagr) January 2, 2016