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Dallas Stars Daily Links: Stars Look to Bounce Back Against Wild in Game 4

Posted on by Melissa Flandreau

What do the Stars need to do to win tonight? If you ask Mike Heika, the answer involves the Stars’ brains, not their brawn.

The Stars exhaled in Game 3. It was clear from the press box that when they scored twice in the first four minutes of the game, their brains made a decision _ possibly at a level below their inner dialogue, but a decision nonetheless. They decided that they were in control and didn’t need to exert maximum effort.

It’s human nature. It might even be a defense mechanism ingrained through years of sports. You get a lead and you don’t want to take too many risks. You get a lead and you don’t want to pour it on. You get a lead and you think the job is done.

Pick your poison, but there is a real reaction that you go through as an individual, and it spreads throughout your team.

These “mental twists and turns,” Heika writes, are why we love sports. But getting those synapses under control will be key if the Stars want to take a 3-1 lead in the series.

There’s more on brains at the link. [SportsDayDFW]

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Game 4 is tonight at 8:30 p.m. Y’all ready?

Before the puck drops, check out Mark Stepneski’s preview and catch up on yesterday’s practice updates. For starters, Jamie Benn took a maintenance day (but Lindy Ruff says don’t worry), and Kris Russell is questionable. [Stars Inside Edge]

Kari Lehtonen and Antti Niemi are playing tricks on us.

If you’ve been wondering what the Stars should take away from their Game 3 loss, DBD’s Derek has you covered. [The Hockey Writers]

Patrick Sharp and his playoff experience continue to be a boon for the Stars. [Star Tribune]

Zach Parise and Thomas Vanek are inching toward their return for the Wild.

The folks at Hockey Wilderness talk about what has made Minnesota’s third line of Erik Haula, Jason Pominville, and Nino Niederreiter so effective against the Stars. [Hockey Wilderness]

Also from behind enemy lines: Wild captain Mikko Koivu stepped up in Game 3, and his leadership made all the difference for his team. [HW]

Don’t worry, there are still more playoff predictions for you to make. (Better get everything right this time, though.)

Elsewhere, in the playoffs.

Despite leaving practice yesterday after colliding with a teammate (and giving fans a collective anxiety attack), Braden Holtby should still be in net for the Capitals tonight. [TSN]

Without any Canadian teams to watch, playoff viewership is way down in Canada. Like 61 percent down. [The Hockey News]

The Flyers will be without Pierre-Edouard Bellemare for Game 4.

And speaking of Philly, the team’s fans have lost their right to have nice things. [TSN]

At The Wall Street Journal, Tom Perrotta makes the case for why the one-timer is the most important shot in hockey. [Wall Street Journal]

In honor of Matt Murray’s debut, Sportsnet counts down the five youngest netminders to make their first playoff start. Former North Stars goalie Don Beaupre makes the cut. [Sportsnet]

Tommy Olczyk, son of Eddie Olczyk, talks about his experience playing hockey at Penn State.

In KHL news, Alex Semin and the Metallurg Magnitogorsk won the Gagarin Cup in a come-from-behind Game 7 victory. [Russian Machine Never Breaks]

On Wayne Gretzky, the Oilers, and what makes dynasties special. [Sports Illustrated]

The Coyotes purchased the Springfield Falcons and plan on moving the AHL team to Tucson. [Stanley Cup of Chowder]

And finally, come watch the game with your people.

Talking Points