Daily Links to Dallas Stars: New Mood

On By Vaseline

The Dallas Stars are on the cusp of a big series win. And it’s about time, write Sean Shapiro and David Castillo.

What a difference a day, or a week, or three wins in a row can make! The Dallas Stars have their first lead of the series and a chance to seal the deal this weekend in Las Vegas. And it’s time for the better team to determine the course of the series, write Sean Shapiro and David Castillo.

These friends of DBD expanded D magazine‘s excellent Stars coverage with a new edition of ‘What We Saw, What It Felt Like.’ As Sean wrote:

Vegas got its power play goal early. Dallas later capitalized on his crucial response. In between, the Stars did well in keeping the Golden Knights from generating much of anything offensively, finishing with a 7-5 edge on high-risk opportunities, according to Natural Stat Trick. That was enough to earn their third straight victory and turn the series on its head. Finally, a team won a game on home ice. That’s the natural order of play-off hockey. That includes the overall top seed finally taking control of this first-round matchup.

David sounds a note of reasonable caution, but he too has noticed the change in the air:

The asterisk, of course, is that Vegas has one game to change the narrative. Then all bets – all stories, by the way – are off. But it certainly doesn’t feel like the potential outcome when Thomas Harley wins a one-on-one battle with Jack Eichel behind the net and Logan Stankoven intercepts Vegas passes in the neutral zone and Jamie Benn continues to deliver his bruising style as the captain of the team. For all the weapons the Golden Knights added at the deadline, they seem outmatched by a team that only needed one (Chris Tanev, of course).

You can read it all on StrongSide. (D magazine)

And while you’re clicking around, be sure to read Taylor’s Game 5 recap on NHL.com.

Star stuff

Robert Tiffin has so many thoughts on the punishment that ultimately allowed the Stars to close the deal.

Of course, it never hurts to get help this way.

This is the kind of wholesome content we’re all for.

And Josh Bogorad brought some history.

The story so far – Round 1

  • The Edmonton Oilers finally end their first-round exit curse with a Game 5 win over the Los Angeles Kings, 4-3. (NHL)

With only three series remaining to be decided, the Game 6 schedule is as follows:

  • Thursday: Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Boston Bruins, 7pm CT, TBS/MAX/NESN/CBC
  • Friday: Nashville Predators vs. Vancouver Canucks, 6pm CT, TNT/TRU/MAX/BSSO
  • Friday: Dallas Stars @ Vegas Golden Knights9pm CT, TNT/TRU/MAX/BSSW

Around the competitions

So about that five-minute major that wasn’t…Bruce LeVine asks the important questions (and gets correct but annoying answers).

Bad refereeing is always a bit of a mantra in the NHL, but this year’s playoffs seem especially fraught. The hockey news takes over David Rittich’s non-call and more.

Greetings from scenic Cedar Park – and beautiful Boise

The Texas Stars will take on the Milwaukee Admirals at home tonight. Are you watching?

IT’S HAPPENING

If you’re in the area, you might want to know that the Idaho Steelheads are hosting their watch party for the Mountain Division Finals. (Or maybe you just want to know.)

Finally

This is what happens when your team is a combo plate of dads and grad students. May it ever continue.