Great work Robert, as usual. I love that Bichsel didnt take Corey Perry's bait. my lasting impression of Perry is his long walk of shame at the Winter Classic. His corsscheck to Steel's face is on par for him, and Im glad it cost the Oilers bigtime!Great take on the Seguin/Steel goal.
Yeah he acted like some kind of badass after Bischel tripped over a stick after being attacked by two guys. Lian would destroy Perry one on one. I hope the young man gets his payback
Great post-game content, as always. Look forward to reading after every game. The DMagazine post-game piece by you and Castillo really captured what many fans felt. The Stars do seem to be just happening to other teams.
Oh man. The press conference with Dutchy and Tyler is gold. Laid back, yet focused. Happy, but not euphoric. And, like you, I got absolute chills when Tyler whispers "he's so good". All NHL players are top level (understatement), but when they are in awe of another guy, that says something...and it's a blast to watch.
Robert, I hope this process plays out. Last year, in Game 1, I felt the Stars gave the game away vs Edmonton, losing in double OT. It has massive ramifications. Playing from behind, losing home ice, etc. And sure enough, Dallas lost in 6.
Last night, the message was different. No more 0-14 on the PPlay. We're going to make you pay, and now Edmonton I hope will rue the day come Game 6 or 7, looking back and saying, crap, we pissed away a two-goal lead in the 3rd period. Don't be surprised that last night becomes the difference in the series. I hope so.
As for Robo, gosh, I've no idea. Thank Jim Nill that we have so much depth, we could win the Stanley Cup without him even scoring a goal in 2 plus playoff series. When Dadonov and Steel are more dangerous than Robo, you know you've got good things going. Finally, I want to point out how perhaps under appreciated the work that Mason Marchment does not only on the PP, but in general, keeping pucks in, tying people up, and then making unbelievable passes that end up in the net. He may not score goals right now, but he does all of the little things that all of his teammates really appreciate, and I guess we have to put up with his dumb penalties from time to time, and hope they don't cost us (remember the 4 minute minor vs Colorado in OT?).
There's a lot to balance with Dallas. I think that makes them particularly tough to play against at their best, if not downright impossible to beat. The flip side is that when the balance is off, everything can seem listless. Obviously it's been on more than off lately!
Marchment bring some sandpaper to the game....and the Stars don't have much sandpaper. He contributes something virtually none of the other players bring. Even if his penalties are stupid.
On the Robertson note, I do really think you just put him up with Hintz and Rantanen and go back to the lines from the end of the season. The Granlund-Hintz-Rantanen line has been fine at even strength despite strong singular performances from each of those three guys at different times, but their success seems to me to be more like a product of each individual being highly skilled, not the synergy that line brings. Putting Robo up there allows him to make plays for two great finishers, and also gives everyone on that line more room to work with as all three players are heavy forecheckers who are always triple threats to shoot, pass or take the puck to the net. Bumping Granlund down to either Marchments spot on the 2nd line or to Benn's spot on the 3rd line also gives Wyatt Johnston a bit more support and should open things up for him more. Right now Wyatt is dragging around a Jamie Benn who can't possess or move the puck that well, and Dadonov has flashes of brilliance but often over-thinks himself into a useless play in the corner. Marchment would add some real grit and offense to that third line, or Granlund would add more playmaking and a better two-way game to take some of the defensive assignment pressure off Wyatt.
Plus we shouldn't really be "results speak for themselves"-ing ourselves here. The Stars have gotten results despite some pretty rough performances throughout the playoffs and I dont think it's right to assume that we're going to continue to get hattricks, 75% powerplay nights and Jake heroics every night we get a win. The 5v5 play has been lackluster since round 1 game 1 and hasn't really taken as much of a step as you'd like to see with Miro and Robo back in the lineup.
Another great article, tyvm. When I'm pressed for time like now and can't read everything about these Awesome Stars, your pieces are my first-choice, can't-miss go-to's
Love these more extended articles. A few comments:
1. Miro was a bit better than 80% of his old self in Game 1. Tyler Seguin is right about him.
2. Tyler Seguin is awesome. It's so easy to take him for granted, he's been playing so well here for so long.
3. Corey Perry is poking the bear. Lian Bichsel is much bigger and stronger than he is, and probably faster on his skates, too. Corey better have his head on a swivel.
4. I keep waiting for Robo finally to have a Robo-like game. He's doing all the little things well, such was defending and setting screens and subtle picks, but not scoring. The line shuffling is not helping him or Wyatt Johnston. Maybe they fix this problem by playing them together (if they haven't already been doing so).
Thanks, Ken. As for #4, they tried Wyatt with Robertson for half of Game 1, then split them up late in the second period. Robertson is an elite talent, but he's fighting through something for sure.
Great work Robert, as usual. I love that Bichsel didnt take Corey Perry's bait. my lasting impression of Perry is his long walk of shame at the Winter Classic. His corsscheck to Steel's face is on par for him, and Im glad it cost the Oilers bigtime!Great take on the Seguin/Steel goal.
Yeah he acted like some kind of badass after Bischel tripped over a stick after being attacked by two guys. Lian would destroy Perry one on one. I hope the young man gets his payback
Great post-game content, as always. Look forward to reading after every game. The DMagazine post-game piece by you and Castillo really captured what many fans felt. The Stars do seem to be just happening to other teams.
Appreciate that, Gene!
Oh man. The press conference with Dutchy and Tyler is gold. Laid back, yet focused. Happy, but not euphoric. And, like you, I got absolute chills when Tyler whispers "he's so good". All NHL players are top level (understatement), but when they are in awe of another guy, that says something...and it's a blast to watch.
Seven to go.
They're a real good time, for sure.
Robert, I hope this process plays out. Last year, in Game 1, I felt the Stars gave the game away vs Edmonton, losing in double OT. It has massive ramifications. Playing from behind, losing home ice, etc. And sure enough, Dallas lost in 6.
Last night, the message was different. No more 0-14 on the PPlay. We're going to make you pay, and now Edmonton I hope will rue the day come Game 6 or 7, looking back and saying, crap, we pissed away a two-goal lead in the 3rd period. Don't be surprised that last night becomes the difference in the series. I hope so.
As for Robo, gosh, I've no idea. Thank Jim Nill that we have so much depth, we could win the Stanley Cup without him even scoring a goal in 2 plus playoff series. When Dadonov and Steel are more dangerous than Robo, you know you've got good things going. Finally, I want to point out how perhaps under appreciated the work that Mason Marchment does not only on the PP, but in general, keeping pucks in, tying people up, and then making unbelievable passes that end up in the net. He may not score goals right now, but he does all of the little things that all of his teammates really appreciate, and I guess we have to put up with his dumb penalties from time to time, and hope they don't cost us (remember the 4 minute minor vs Colorado in OT?).
There's a lot to balance with Dallas. I think that makes them particularly tough to play against at their best, if not downright impossible to beat. The flip side is that when the balance is off, everything can seem listless. Obviously it's been on more than off lately!
Marchment bring some sandpaper to the game....and the Stars don't have much sandpaper. He contributes something virtually none of the other players bring. Even if his penalties are stupid.
On the Robertson note, I do really think you just put him up with Hintz and Rantanen and go back to the lines from the end of the season. The Granlund-Hintz-Rantanen line has been fine at even strength despite strong singular performances from each of those three guys at different times, but their success seems to me to be more like a product of each individual being highly skilled, not the synergy that line brings. Putting Robo up there allows him to make plays for two great finishers, and also gives everyone on that line more room to work with as all three players are heavy forecheckers who are always triple threats to shoot, pass or take the puck to the net. Bumping Granlund down to either Marchments spot on the 2nd line or to Benn's spot on the 3rd line also gives Wyatt Johnston a bit more support and should open things up for him more. Right now Wyatt is dragging around a Jamie Benn who can't possess or move the puck that well, and Dadonov has flashes of brilliance but often over-thinks himself into a useless play in the corner. Marchment would add some real grit and offense to that third line, or Granlund would add more playmaking and a better two-way game to take some of the defensive assignment pressure off Wyatt.
Plus we shouldn't really be "results speak for themselves"-ing ourselves here. The Stars have gotten results despite some pretty rough performances throughout the playoffs and I dont think it's right to assume that we're going to continue to get hattricks, 75% powerplay nights and Jake heroics every night we get a win. The 5v5 play has been lackluster since round 1 game 1 and hasn't really taken as much of a step as you'd like to see with Miro and Robo back in the lineup.
Another great article, tyvm. When I'm pressed for time like now and can't read everything about these Awesome Stars, your pieces are my first-choice, can't-miss go-to's
Love these more extended articles. A few comments:
1. Miro was a bit better than 80% of his old self in Game 1. Tyler Seguin is right about him.
2. Tyler Seguin is awesome. It's so easy to take him for granted, he's been playing so well here for so long.
3. Corey Perry is poking the bear. Lian Bichsel is much bigger and stronger than he is, and probably faster on his skates, too. Corey better have his head on a swivel.
4. I keep waiting for Robo finally to have a Robo-like game. He's doing all the little things well, such was defending and setting screens and subtle picks, but not scoring. The line shuffling is not helping him or Wyatt Johnston. Maybe they fix this problem by playing them together (if they haven't already been doing so).
Thanks, Ken. As for #4, they tried Wyatt with Robertson for half of Game 1, then split them up late in the second period. Robertson is an elite talent, but he's fighting through something for sure.
Thanks. I need to pay closer attention. Both of those guys have hit a bit of a dry spell.