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Dallas Stars Daily Links: Why The Stars’ Power Play Has Gone Quiet

Posted on by Kathleen Tibbetts

The Dallas Stars haven’t won a game against the Columbus Blue Jackets since Obama was president. Monday was no exception, as the Stars failed to take advantage of eight minutes of power-play time in the latest loss.

The Dallas Mornings News’ Matthew DeFranks spoke with the players and Jim Montgomery about the missed opportunities:

“We lost special teams,” Stars forward Jason Spezza said. “Our power play just wasn’t good enough. If our power play’s better, we probably leave there getting it in the extra time and seeing where it goes from there. It’s frustrating.”

Of course, there were some pretty obvious explanations for why the team was outshot on the man advantage for the first time this season:

The Stars have had a lot of bodies rotate through their top power-play unit to account for injuries and opposing penalty kills. [Alexander] Radulov missed 10 of 11 games before returning Monday night from a lower-body injury. John Klingberg just had hand surgery Friday that will keep him out for at least four weeks.

So Tyler Pitlick , [Devin] Shore and [Miro] Heiskanen received top-unit minutes as the Stars changed personnel and formations.

”I think it’s a product of not having any practice time and having different parts moving in and out,” [Jim] Montgomery said. “I think this three-day break is going to be good for us here to get a little special teams time, get a little more cohesion especially in our puck support, not only on the power play, but in our 5-on-5 play.”

Matt has more. [SportsDayDFW]

Stars Stories

The players took advantage of the day off to visit some lucky fans at the C.C. Young Senior Living Center.

Buckner Night is here again: Buy tickets with the promo code BUCKNER to get a discount, and bring children’s items to Friday’s game for your chance to win free passes for January 2.

Around the League(s)

Last Night In #Death

  • Tom Wilson scored in his first game back from a reduced suspension as the Washington Capitals beat the Minnesota Vikings, 5-2. [Japers’ Rink]
  • Joe Thornton got the game-winner as the San Jose Sharks handed the Nashville Predators their second consecutive road loss, 5-4. [Fear The Fin]/

Jumbo Joe’s GWG was also his 400th NHL goal.

His goals and assists totals combined put him in some elite company.

Injured blueliner Jakob Chychrun returned to the Arizona Coyotes lineup with a nice new deal in his pocket.

How much has the John Tavares contract been worth to the Toronto Maple Leafs? James Mirtle examines the case.

This has gone about as well as you might imagine.

Greetings From Scenic Cedar Park

The blueline roundabout continues in Austin Metro, too, as the Texas Stars rearrange their defensemen.

Forward Elgin Pearce has returned to the Idaho Steelheads after a brief loan.

The T-Stars have provided a handy summary of this week’s call-up action.

Finally

Oh, they do have fun!

Talking Points