Although the final score was 2-0 thanks to the empty netter, the Dallas Stars really beat the Calgary Flames 1-0 last night. Pair that with the 1-0 loss on Tuesday, and there have been only two “real” goals in both games, only one at even strength.
That’s made this series a bit of a slog so far, but that’s just how the Stars have drawn it up:
“That’s how we have to play,” Stars coach Rick Bowness said. “We have to grind it out with them. This is one of the best defensive teams in the league. They’re not going to give you a lot of chances, no matter if you play Dallas Stars hockey, whatever hockey. They don’t give you very much.”
After getting blown out in the first period in Game 1, the Stars took the lead early in the first, courtesy of a Joe Pavelski tip. That gave the team a nice boost of confidence that carried throughout the game:
“It’s nice to get the lead,” Pavelski said. “We handled their forecheck a little bit better, a little bit cleaner. You reset, you see what you can do different, and guys responded. They’re not going to go away, and you just have to take situations as they come.”
You can read more from Mike Heika here.
Stars Stories
Saad Yousuf offers his own thoughts about the game:
Also from Saad, here’s a (prophetic?) piece he wrote about the Stars’ top line before the game:
In Stars vs. Flames, a lot has been made about two of the NHL best top lines matching up.
There’s a big difference though when it comes to those lines and team results.
Comparing the situations and examining how Stars’ top line has no margin for error https://t.co/mVzXRmnxtT
— Saad Yousuf (@SaadYousuf126) May 5, 2022
Now that Game 2 is in the books, the series is heading back to Dallas for the weekend:
Around the League
It was a night of series-tying games. Well, for the most part…
The Arizona Coyotes won’t be homeless this next season:
The Coyotes’ deal to play games at ASU’s multi-purpose arena is complete, ASU CFO Morgan Olsen confirmed.
The arena will be ready to host NHL games in October, avoiding a lengthy Coyotes road trip to start the 2022-23 season.
Story via @PHNX_Coyotes https://t.co/pGo5xE1xXO
— Craig Morgan (@CraigSMorgan) May 5, 2022
In a case of cross-border peculiarities, the Edmonton Oilers bused into the United States in order to avoid COVID testing protocols:
The Edmonton Oilers became the latest pro sports team to bus into the United States before flying to another destination south of the border because of COVID-19 testing rules.https://t.co/xPJx88lFam
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 6, 2022
The IIHF has found a new home for the 2023 World Juniors Championship:
News is expected on Thursday that the 2023 World Junior Championship will be held in Halifax and Moncton in Canada this winter.https://t.co/LrBWv2mIoE
— The Hockey News (@TheHockeyNews) May 5, 2022
On the subject of prospects, the NHL Central Scouting report has been finalized for the 2022 Draft:
Shane Wright and Juraj Slafkovsky top NHL Central Scouting’s final rankings for the 2022 Upper Deck NHL Draft. https://t.co/BQ3n93msUg
— NHL.com (@NHLdotcom) May 5, 2022
That being said, maybe don’t read too much into it:
Finally, Greg Wyshynski digs into the history of the Conn Smythe award and proposes some changes to how the media votes on it:
Loving the discussion about my column on the Conn Smythe Formula today, and about the injustices of past #StanleyCup MVP votes. Read it here, and my suggestions on “fixing” the award. #NHL https://t.co/z8nIdO5Frs
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) May 5, 2022
George is Digismak’s reported cum editor with 13 years of experience in Journalism