The Dallas Stars were unable to hold a late lead because of Dylan Larkin in a 4-3 overtime loss against the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena on Tuesday.

The Stars power play is good, where have we heard this before?

Dallas was in the middle of another tight, low-event type of game. Don’t take that as meaning boring, because it wasn’t. It was heated, tight checking, and a fun game to watch.

But, like it has all season, the Stars power play was once again the lighter fluid to the fire when they needed it. Or maybe the wick?

Speaking of, did/do you guys light luminaries to put in the street for Christmas? Man, I hated putting those out. Spilling the cat litter, lighting the bags on fire both on purpose and accidentally. And of course, placing them in the street during a classic New Jersey rain/snow storm. Dang, I am getting all heated just writing about it.

Wait, what were we talking about? Oh yes, the power play.

The final 40 minutes were all about the extra man. Roope Hintz and Emmitt Finniee took turns tying the game with power-play goals, Wyatt Johnston tipped one home 5-on-4 (like he always does) to restore the Dallas lead, and then Larkin was on the recieving end of a nasty between-the-legs pass from James van Riemsdyk to tie it again and force overtime.

I wasn’t sure what this game would be… You really never know on the final day before a holiday break. But a special teams battle with three or four highlight-reel goals would not have been my guess. What a game it turned out to be.

Oh, my Matt Duchene… & another play from Ritz

Matt Duchene knew it would take some time to get fully right after missing a long time with a concussion. He has been very honest about it. in fact.

Duchene has had moments in his first eight games back. He was moved back to center on the third line when Stars coach Glen Gulutzan thought he was getting closer to his usual form. Duchene fits in the middle of the ice. That’s where he is most effective. He can play East-West and use his creativity with far more open ice, especially loving to curl back on his forehand and open up to make passes through the slot. So moving him back there, even if it isn’t with the highest-end skill available, is the right call.

Duchene looked his old self tonight, especially on the Stars second goal in the middle period.

Duchene used a cheeky little bump when receiving the pass to get the puck up in the air and over the defenseman’s stick. It only takes a shift of the stick blade and hands — something many of the Stars work on every day at practice — but the timing is everything. Duchene chips the puck up past the defenseman’s stick, accelerates, and skates into it while using his inside leg and left hand to protect the puck.

Then he finishes it with a beautiful backhand pass on the tape to Jamie Benn.

By the way…

I could watch Hyrckowian play every night. I love the way his effort never stops, he doesn’t take crap from anyone — no matter the size — and he has the skill to add some offense.

Call me old fashion, but I don’t even care that his roughing penalty cost the team a goal that tied the game 2-2. You have to stand up for yourself. I prefer that over previous reactions from this team. Now, Mikko Rantanen’s interference minor when on the power play with a one-goal lead late in the third? That one might be different.

Hryckowian was pushed into the lineup because of injury. But there is a good reason he is still in the lineup for a healthy team that sits second in the NHL.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good 3 days off

The Stars will now take three days off (well, hopefully they will this time around, eh?). And with that, we will also take three days off here at DLLS.

As I usually do near Holidays or long breaks, I want to tell each and every one of you how much we appreciate you. I know it sounds like business or a little cliche, but that doesn’t make it any less true.

We at DLLS are so gratful for your support since we started here. Thinking back to last Christmas and where we were… It is mind blowing to see where we are now — and this “we” includes all of you DieHards and fans because you are just as much a part of this ride as we are. We would 100 percent not be here without all of you. And we recognize that every single day.

I hope you all have a wonderfully weird, wacky, and happy Christmas eve and Christmas day. I will see you in a few days when I get back to Texas!

And finally, let’s finish with a beautiful moment between former Stars coach Rick Bowness and Jason Robertson.