Thursday Links: Horseshoes And Hand Grenades

The Stars’ penchant for keeping it close is working out. Sort of. For now. Plus, this year’s fifth-round steal, three teams that started lousy (and one who could stay that way), and more.

As Dallas Stars fans react, and overreact, to that season-opening road trip, here’s a thought experiment you may not have tried yet: Maybe the Victory Green Gang likes to play for overtime in low-scoring games.

Sounds crazy, right? And yet they have made it work 50 percent of the time in their first four games. The Dallas Morning News’ Matthew DeFranks examines some reasons why head coach Rick Bowness might like playing this way:

It’s not a coincidence that these Stars play tight games. They are built to restrict scoring chances. They have been one of the league’s worst even-strength offenses the last few seasons. They have relied on special teams and goaltending at various points to carry them through previously….

Playing nail-biters the entire season is a lot to ask of a team, even one as veteran as these Stars are. But it just may be what the Stars have to get used to (again).

The Stars made it work during their push to the Stanley Cup Final in 2020. But the system failed them in the abbreviated 2021 season, and that does tend to cloud the view:

Close games strangled the Stars last year, especially in overtimes and shootouts, where they lost 14 times. This year, their only two wins have come with extra time.

“There’s a lot more coming, that’s how tight the league is,” Bowness said. “We’ve been able to practice [overtime and shootouts] this year a little more, which we’ll continue to do. We didn’t practice it at all last year because of the schedule.”

Matt has more. [SportsDayDFW]

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Stars Stuff

Michael Raffl has won the love of Sportstoons, which is one sign he’s truly arrived in Dallas.

Speaking of which, there’s a very good chance Stars fans will learn to love this 2021 NHL Draft pick very soon.

Around The Leagues

#Death Notes

The entire NHL was pretty quiet last night, but there was still some Central Division action as the St. Louis Blues bested the Vegas Golden Knights, 3-1.

Jason isn’t the only Robertson beset with injury woes. Brother Nick will sit for more than two months after fracturing his right fibula while playing for the Manitoba Moose.

Oh, like you weren’t thinking it. Matt Larkin and Ryan Kennedy just said it out loud. You’re welcome.

Also at THN: Adam Proteau looks at three teams with dire starts and says there’s only one in dire straits.

Hall of Famer Mike Bossy is taking a break from broadcasting as he faces a battle that will require “all my strength and all my focus.”

Greetings From Beautiful Boise

Friday is a big night for the Stars organization all the way around, as the Idaho Steelheads will tell you.

Finally

Training camp must be fun. Enjoy.