The Stars’ best line has been doing a lot of heavy lifting. Robert Tiffin takes a look at what makes Seguin-Duchene-Marchment tick.
As Thanksgiving approaches, the Dallas Stars seem to be in a pretty good place. They’re winning games (mostly) and looking like a team that won’t have to fight for a Stanley Cup playoffs spot this spring (mostly).
But – as usual, is normal – there’s room for improvement. The Stars’ scoring is notably off-pace from recent seasons, and most of it is coming from a single line.
In his latest piece for D Magazine, Friend o’ DBD Robert Tiffin wonders how long that can last. But he also relates how the Tyler Seguin – Matt Duchene – Mason Marchment line got started – and even more importantly, how it’s going:
The results have been beyond what anyone could have hoped for. The trio holds top three spots in scoring on the Stars, with Duchene’s team-leading 10 goals and 21 points putting him up among the top 25 in the league in scoring, with Seguin and Marchment not far behind.
It’s a start that has surpassed even Duchene’s production of last season, when he began the season on a similar tear after signing as a free agent. That time around, Duchene was the main beneficiary when it came to points, until his scoring slowed and injuries hit his line.
Especially notable for this newest (truest?) Supernova line is the group effort that makes it click:
They feed off one another. Marchment has consistently praised his linemates for how hard they work and communicate, and Seguin has waxed poetic about Duchene’s puck possession. In fact, Marchment said after his two-goal night against Minnesota that the group easily could have had more. When a line is going as well as this one is, he’s certainly right.
“It’s a line of three really unselfish guys who care about the team winning, and care about each other,” Duchene says. “And when you feel that from each other and know that each guy wants what’s best for the other guy, it’s easy to trust each other.”
There’s much more at StrongSide. [D Magazine]
Stars Stuff
The Dallas Stars Foundation is working hard to make the holidays happier, with a big assist from the Stars themselves.
“Challenge accepted.” – Victor E. Green, probably
In On The #Kill Taker
It was a (mostly) quiet night in the Dirty Central – except for Utah Hockey Club, which took a 3-2 decision from the Montreal Canadiens with a last-minute overtime goal from Mikhail Sergachev.
Around The Leagues
Siri, what does “landing on your feet” mean? Within a week after being fired by the Boston Bruins, Jim Montgomery joined the St. Louis Blues and earned his first victory as their head coach.
Frisco and Allen will both tell you: This is kind of a big deal. North Texans, you understand the assignment. [IIHF]
Finally
Including without comment. Enjoy.