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Morning Skate: The Dallas Stars’ season is making less and less sense
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Lace ‘em up. Time for the Morning Skate.
DALLAS IS TIED TO A TREE IN A JUNGLE OF MYSTERY
Last year, the Dallas Stars were the league’s most exciting team. Really, they had been for a few years. But they rode their offensive capabilities to the best record in the Western Conference.
This year, I don’t know what to make of them.
They sit fourth in the Central Division with a goal differential of -16. They’re 14th in goals for per game, 14th on the power play, and 25th on the penalty kill. And yet, you can’t blame goaltending or their best players. Because Antti Niemi is playing pretty well and their best players have been injured for most of the season. And their coach is pulling the right strings.
Last night’s game in St. Louis encapsulated their odd season in so many ways. Jamie Oleksiak, considered by many fans to be a failed prospect, scored some ridiculous goals. They were outplayed but still made it to overtime. And then they looked lost at 3-on-3 and let the game slip away. The Stars. Confused and inept at 3-on-3.
As I mentioned last night, this feels like an alternate-universe season for Dallas in many ways. But it certainly doesn’t feel like a championship season.
NEWS NEWS NEWS
- We took a look at the awards contenders after a quarter of the season. Some of them are actually pretty surprising!
- Florida fired their coach and then left him waiting for a cab in North Carolina. So cold.
- A little kid is wearing goalie pads of seduction and it’s all the Devils’ fault.
- Jack Capuano’s job in New York is safe ... for now.
- LOOK AT THESE GOOD HOCKEY DOGS
AROUND THE NETWORK WE GO
- Raw Charge throws down the gauntlet: It’s time to start handing the reins of Tampa Bay’s net to the kid.
- Good news! Jack Eichel could return tonight.
- Considering the terrific season Connor McDavid is experiencing, it’s worth figuring out how the Oilers fare when he’s not on the ice.
- The Hurricanes should start considering a trade for some offensive help. Yes, they are contenders.
- Where are the Maple Leafs after 21 games?
- Here’s what we talk about when we talk about grit.
- The Canadiens will embark on a season-defining road trip.
- Brandon Carlo is becoming a key cog on defense for the Bruins.
- Blackhawks fans are tired of Circus Trips.
- Fear The Fin examines why their pickle defenseman is in a pickle of pickled penalties.
- Pickles.
- Broad Street Hockey tried to defend Dale Weise, so pray for their mentions.
- Hey, remember that first round pick everyone laughed at the Flames for making four years ago? He made his NHL debut last night.
- Wisconsin and Minnesota still rule over the NCAA Division-I poll.
- WORLD JUNIORS ARE ALMOST HERE.
- The Blue Jackets deserve a ton of good grades.
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