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Dallas Stars Friday Links: Holiday Freeze, Suspensions and Injuries Has Stars Scrambling For Players

Posted on by Shawn Ladd

Since the Stars have chosen to carry 8 defensemen this year, that means the team can only carry 13 forwards. So when one is suspended (Eakin) or tweaks something in practice (Roussel), makes the prospect of filling all 4 lines a dicey proposition.

Patrick Sharp is on IR so look for defenseman Jamie Oleksiak to get a chance to skate at forward tonight if Roussel can’t go.

The reason we dressed Jamie up in a forward color today was to use him a bit at forward,” Ruff said. “We’ve had him at forward in practice a few times, and LA is a big strong team. And we’ve seen some of (Oleksiak’s) dangling

More here. (Wrong Side of the Red Line)

One of the teams currently ahead of the Stars in one of the Wild Card spots is tonight’s opponent the Los Angeles Kings, who are just 4 points ahead of Dallas.

We’re at a point now where you’ve got to think about catching people or leapfrogging people. And when you get them in your sights, you want to take advantage of it,” Stars coach Lindy Ruff said

Mike Heika has the rest. (Dallas Morning News)

Tonight’s opponent the Kings shutout division rival Nashville 4-0 last night. Mark Stepneski has your preview of what to expect when they skate tonight at the AAC. (Stars Inside Edge)

When 11 of your 21 losses this season an upgrade at the goalie position could help save your fleeting playoff chances, says a new voice to the discussion Adam Proteau. (Hockey Buzz)

Sean Shapiro with his Festivus mailbag session this week:

A graph showing how far the team has fallen from last season.

Texas Stars:

Forward Matej Stransky scored with 11.8 seconds left to give the Texas Stars the sweep of the home and home series, with their I-35 rival the San Antonio Rampage, 5-4. The Stars also won Wednesday’s game at Cedar Park 2-1. (Texas Stars)

Justin Dowling continues to rise in the team’s record book.

Prior to the game Stars goalie prospect Philippe Desrosiers was sent back to the Idaho Steelheads, the Stars ECHL franchise. The Steelheads just happened to be playing the Allen Americans (San Jose) last night.

With the exception of the Jets and Wild it was a rough night last night for Central Division (MDK) teams.

–Nashville was blanked by the Kings 4-0. (On the Forecheck)

–St Louis got out to a 2-0 lead to the Lightning but lost 5-2. (Raw Charge)

–Colorado gave up a goal to Auston Matthews and 2 to Nazem Kadri in the 6-0 loss to the Maple Leafs. (Mile High Hockey)

–Winnipeg made up for their Tuesday night’s loss to the Canucks 4-1 (Arctic Ice Hockey)

–Devan Dubnyk outdueled Carey Price to help Wild win their ninth in a row over the Canadiens 4-2. (Star-Tribune)

Maybe former Avs coach Patrick Roy knew what was in store for Colorado when he walked away this summer. Fans are calling for GM Joe Sakic to make a move to turn things around. (Mile High Sticking)

Can Wild goalie Devan Dubnyk be considered one of the elite goaltenders in the league? (Hockey Wilderness)

Jets defensmen Dustin Byfuglien is one of the most polarizing players on the team, Can they win a championship with him as their #1 Dman? (Winnipeg Sun)

Should the NHL get rid of the loser point? Right now there are only 4 teams with a below .500 record thanks to the point a team gets for being on the short end of an OT loss. (Fanrag Sports)

Dallas moves up one spot in the NHL Power Rankings. (Sportsnet)

Thirteen First Round draft picks will be on display when the 2017 IIHF World Junior Championship begin on Monday. (NHL)

Twitter was abuzz yesterday at one of the final cuts by the US Junior team. Blackhawks prospect Adam DeBrincat who is having a super year with his junior team.

Who had some of the best trades in the year 2016? Down Goes Brown with a year end Western Conference recap. Stars got a D. (Sportsnet)

When you are the Zamboni Driver but you are jonseing for your Tim Horton fix:

Need a last minute Christmas Gift idea?

Finally Santa’s scouting report:

Talking Points