The 2024-25 Stars do not play a "heavy" game. Period. Expecting something different in the WCF is totally unrealistic. If, and I'm still saying if, they wind up losing the series and are out for the third straight WCF that will be the time to have the debate. Not now.
I really appreciated how this article delved into this topic. I've heard some idiotic takes from podcasters and pundits I typically respect and enjoy. Namely that this team is "mentally soft". I wholly reject that lazy shit-head take. Is Rope soft for playing through pain? Now, can we ask if Dallas needs more sandpaper or another rat or jerk? Yes. That doesn't mean this team is soft. You don't advance this far in a gladiator sport by being "mentally weak".
Thank you for your consistent coverage, Tiffin. I always enjoy hearing you on Ticket radio and o other podcasts.
Matt Dumba was brought in for exactly this reason. He isn't good enough to crack the roster in his decline. This is an issue the GM needs to address going forward. Dallas needs more sandpaper. This team is not mentally soft. both things can be true. Please present a more nuanced take if you're running a podcast that starts with L and ends with "on"
Bob. Great stuff. You don't have to play dirty to be physical. The Stars have allowed McDavid and Draisatl to be way too comfortable. They should be hitting them every time they have the puck. Bottom line, Edmonton has shown more skill and made the Stars pay for penalties, save for Game 1. Have you noticed Mikko has had very little space in this series? Granted, he's not speedy like Connor and Leon. Anyway, hopefully I get a gift tonight in person. Here in Dallas all the way from Anaheim. Odds are very much against the Stars coming all the way back but would love to see Game 6 in Edmonton. And yes, Sean's piece on Jamie Benn is a must read. Tonight might be his final game in a Stars uniform. It's time. Love him. But they need to get younger and faster and more physical 🙄
I’m not an analyst or a pundit or even a podcaster, so can I be permitted an un-nuanced take? 😅 there’s a part of me that thinks, well, if the season’s going to be over anyways, may as well go for it and just run ‘em, consequences be damned. We probably won’t beat the Oilers, but maybe we could make it harder for them to beat Florida. Just say F it and play dirty for one night.
And I HATE that I feel this way. So I’m going to do a piss-poor impersonation of a Haruki Murakami wife character and unceremoniously disappear myself.
The ape in me also wants a pound of flesh! Great comment, Angela. I still want this Stars team to win the series. Odds stacked agaisnt us be damned. Your last sentence was clever and made me smile.
The big point for me is that the Stars can't let the Oilers get into their heads and they can't take penalties against that power play. They need to be smart and stay focused on winning the game in front of them. If they win tonight, we are back to the Oilers being one home loss from suddenly being in a little bit of trouble. Which is how these series work. You are never in trouble until you lose your first home game.
The 2024-25 Stars do not play a "heavy" game. Period. Expecting something different in the WCF is totally unrealistic. If, and I'm still saying if, they wind up losing the series and are out for the third straight WCF that will be the time to have the debate. Not now.
I really appreciated how this article delved into this topic. I've heard some idiotic takes from podcasters and pundits I typically respect and enjoy. Namely that this team is "mentally soft". I wholly reject that lazy shit-head take. Is Rope soft for playing through pain? Now, can we ask if Dallas needs more sandpaper or another rat or jerk? Yes. That doesn't mean this team is soft. You don't advance this far in a gladiator sport by being "mentally weak".
Thank you for your consistent coverage, Tiffin. I always enjoy hearing you on Ticket radio and o other podcasts.
Matt Dumba was brought in for exactly this reason. He isn't good enough to crack the roster in his decline. This is an issue the GM needs to address going forward. Dallas needs more sandpaper. This team is not mentally soft. both things can be true. Please present a more nuanced take if you're running a podcast that starts with L and ends with "on"
Jamie Benn is soft? F right off.
Bob. Great stuff. You don't have to play dirty to be physical. The Stars have allowed McDavid and Draisatl to be way too comfortable. They should be hitting them every time they have the puck. Bottom line, Edmonton has shown more skill and made the Stars pay for penalties, save for Game 1. Have you noticed Mikko has had very little space in this series? Granted, he's not speedy like Connor and Leon. Anyway, hopefully I get a gift tonight in person. Here in Dallas all the way from Anaheim. Odds are very much against the Stars coming all the way back but would love to see Game 6 in Edmonton. And yes, Sean's piece on Jamie Benn is a must read. Tonight might be his final game in a Stars uniform. It's time. Love him. But they need to get younger and faster and more physical 🙄
I’m not an analyst or a pundit or even a podcaster, so can I be permitted an un-nuanced take? 😅 there’s a part of me that thinks, well, if the season’s going to be over anyways, may as well go for it and just run ‘em, consequences be damned. We probably won’t beat the Oilers, but maybe we could make it harder for them to beat Florida. Just say F it and play dirty for one night.
And I HATE that I feel this way. So I’m going to do a piss-poor impersonation of a Haruki Murakami wife character and unceremoniously disappear myself.
The ape in me also wants a pound of flesh! Great comment, Angela. I still want this Stars team to win the series. Odds stacked agaisnt us be damned. Your last sentence was clever and made me smile.
Thanks, R Dell—I wasn’t sure anyone would get that reference, not that that’s ever stopped me before!
Here’s hoping for a positive result tonight 🤞
The big point for me is that the Stars can't let the Oilers get into their heads and they can't take penalties against that power play. They need to be smart and stay focused on winning the game in front of them. If they win tonight, we are back to the Oilers being one home loss from suddenly being in a little bit of trouble. Which is how these series work. You are never in trouble until you lose your first home game.