The Stars may have had the better numbers yesterday afternoon, but moral victories are cold comfort in the playoffs. Mike Heika breaks down the Stars’ 4-1 loss to the Blues.
Despite a 65-46 advantage in shot attempts, a 28-22 edge in shots on goal, and a faceoff winning percentage of 60 percent — numbers that typically lead to victory — Dallas lost a 4-1 game at American Airlines Center and now faces potential elimination from the postseason.
Here’s how Alex Goligoski, who scored the Stars’ lone goal in the game, put it.
“We had more than enough good chances to put the puck in,” said defenseman Alex Goligoski. “It’s not putting 40 shots on net, it’s the quality ones. I thought we created a little more than them, it’s just a bounce here and there.”
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There’s more on Game 5 at the link, including a look at how the Stars have fared in elimination games in the past. [SportsDayDFW]
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It wasn’t all bad yesterday. Captain Jamie Benn was also named a Hart Trophy finalist, along with Patrick Kane and Sidney Crosby. [Stars]
Puck Daddy’s Josh Cooper breaks down the three candidates and makes a case for why each should win the Hart. (Spoiler alert: Cooper thinks Kane should and will win the prize.) [Puck Daddy]
Over at The Hockey News, Mike Brophy shares his latest postseason thoughts and declares Jason Spezza the “perfect No. 2 center.” [The Hockey News]
The Stars have to find a way to fix their power play if they want to win Game 6. [SportsDayDFW]
There was plenty of hockey to go around yesterday.
- The Capitals will live to fight another day after a 3-1 victory over the Penguins. [Japers Rink]
- Things did not go so well for the Predators, who lost 5-1 to the Sharks. [Fear the Fin]
The race to woo Bruce Boudreau has ended. Better luck next time, Sens. (#JustMDKThings)
#mnwild has agreed to terms with Bruce Boudreau as the team’s new head coach: https://t.co/ycdGU2rgvy pic.twitter.com/damzDEmCLV
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) May 8, 2016
The Oilers signed University of North Dakota forward Drake Caggiula to a two-year entry level contract. [TSN]
Jaromir Jagr says he never gets tired. Or sore. In other news, Jaromir Jagr is not human. [The Hockey News]
The Red Wings were understandably excited about Nyquist’s Kentucky Derby win.
NYQUIST #FTW!!! pic.twitter.com/zmyiiB9YBQ
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) May 7, 2016
Overtime in the playoffs is a whole other beast, and Andrew Berkshire breaks down how the sudden-death format affects scoring chances. [Sportsnet]
Coyotes captain Shane Doan says he’d like to play at least one more season in the NHL. [The Hockey News]
And finally, Reto Berra probably wants to forget this one.
Big win for Kazakhstan. Helped by this long range shot from Roman Savchenko. RT to celebrate the win#IIHFWorlds pic.twitter.com/DYnaGrEGTm
— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) May 7, 2016