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Dallas Stars Daily Links: Who Will Be the Difference-Maker in Round 2?

Posted on by Melissa Flandreau

There’s been plenty of speculation on what’s going to happen between the Stars and the Blues, including trying to guess the players who will be the X-factors in the series. At NHL.com, Steve Hunt says that, for the Stars, John Klingberg can set the tone.

Hunt points out that Klingberg looks comfortable despite this being his first NHL postseason—Klingberg says he was ready from the start.

“I think from you guys [the media], there were [jitters], but not [from me],” Klingberg said. “I’ve played playoff games before back home in Sweden and [in] a couple of World Championships too. We had a good start [to the series, going up 2-0] and that helped a lot too. I was ready for it.”

Hunt also mentions that Klingberg hit his stride toward the end of the series (1G, 2A in the final two games) and can carry that momentum over into the second round.

“I’ve been playing pretty good the whole series, but obviously you guys [the media] think it’s better when you score points,” Klingberg said. “I think both me and [Goligoski] have been creating. Obviously there’s been some tough breaks on goals against, but I think we’ve been creating.”

For the rest of the scoop on Klingberg, head to the link. On the flip side of the coin, rookie Robby Fabbri could be a difference-maker for the Blues, and you can read about him here. [NHL]

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While you wait for tomorrow night to get here, you can see what ESPN’s Craig Custance has to say about the series. [ESPN]

Sports Illustrated also has a series preview for you. [Sports Illustrated]

Jim Nill offered this update on Tyler Seguin.

Mark Stepneski has all sorts of news for you: Kari Lehtonen is feeling pretty confident, Jamie Benn thinks this is the best time of the year, and Steve Ott is looking forward to playing in the Big D. [Stars Inside Edge]

You know how in the first round pretty much everyone was picking the Stars to win? That, uh, isn’t the case now. ESPN is leaning heavily toward the Blues taking the series, and Dallas didn’t even get the nod from the locals. [SportsDayDFW]

And I’ll just leave these here.

TSN’s Scott Cullen has 73 points to make before Round 2 gets underway. You’ll like No. 8. [TSN]

See what the enemy the Blues have been up to since their seven-game series with the Hawks ended. [NHL]

The Stars may not be the most conventional team around, but their system is working for them. (Related: Maybe stop asking Lindy Ruff about that whole two-goalie thing.) [On the Record]

For your listening pleasure, the latest episode of Stars Sunday.

We got both the end of the first round and the start of the second round last night.

  • Playing in their first-ever Game 7, the Predators held on to defeat the Ducks 2-1. [ESPN] Which means…
  • Ben Bishop didn’t exactly look a Vezina Trophy finalist last night, as the Islanders beat the Lightning 5-3. [Lighthouse Hockey]

Steve Dangle helps us say goodbye to the Wild, now that their season is officially over. [Puck Daddy]

And speaking of the Wild, it turns out that Minny was dealing with a number of injuries. For starters, Devan Dubnyk broke his finger in Game 1 warm-ups. [Star Tribune]

Sean McIndoe tells us what we should know about each Eastern Conference matchup. [VICE]

The three finalists for the Vezina Trophy were announced yesterday.

Over at Sportsnet, Luke Fox breaks down each goalie and says that the award is Braden Holtby‘s to lose. [Sportsnet]

Is the Blackhawks dynasty officially over? Yes. Probably. We think. Er, ask again later. [The Guardian]

And finally, do as Rous tells you.

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