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Dallas Stars News: Injury Updates And A New Team Pet

ByJosh Clark|
DALLAS, TX - MARCH 19: Ben Bishop #30 of the Dallas Stars tends goal against the Florida Panthers at the American Airlines Center on March 19, 2019 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Glenn James/NHLI via Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - MARCH 19: Ben Bishop #30 of the Dallas Stars tends goal against the Florida Panthers at the American Airlines Center on March 19, 2019 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Glenn James/NHLI via Getty Images)

Monday was another information-filled day for the Dallas Stars as the final week of the regular season commences. With a number of players inching closer to returning to the lineup and an official new team pet, there was plenty to follow.

The Dallas Stars had a busy Monday in terms of news as they kick off the final week of the 2018-19 regular season.

After wrapping up a successful road trip with a shootout loss in Vancouver on Saturday night, the Stars traveled back home to Dallas to prepare for the last few days of their campaign. The final week includes a home game against the Philadelphia Flyers, a Friday night road game against the Chicago Blackhawks, and game 82 against the Minnesota Wild back at the American Airlines Center on Saturday.

Dallas will use these three games to try and officially punch their ticket to the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs. After picking up a point on Saturday, the Stars cut their magic number in half. It now sits at one, meaning that Dallas will secure a playoff spot so long as they either pick up one of their final six points on the table or the Arizona Coyotes lose one of the six points left in their campaign.

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That’s a really good scenario to be stuck in with three games left. The Stars’ odds of qualifying for the playoffs sit at 99.8 percent and none of their upcoming opponents are currently in the playoff picture.

But even with a favorable situation, the race isn’t finished just yet. There’s a need for at least one point as well as a need to battle for position in the standings before the postseason begins in order to come out with the most favorable situation in the opening round. That’s what makes this week so critical.

Monday was a practice day for the Dallas Stars. It was their first practice at home in over a week after taking Sunday off due to the flight home on Saturday night as well as playing four road games in six days. It was a needed day off.

But Monday was an important day in terms of Stars news. Let’s take a quick look at what all surfaced.

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Injury updates galore

The Dallas Stars have been dealt a tough hand in terms of injuries over the past five weeks. And yet, even through all of the subtractions from the lineup, they found a way to go 9-4-2 in the most important month of the season.

With the playoffs right around the corner, however, various players are healing up and preparing to return to the lineup just in time for the push.

Tyler Pitlick started the trend on Saturday night after missing 30 games following wrist surgery. And on Monday afternoon, Stars head coach Jim Montgomery provided updates on some of the players still missing from the lineup.

In terms of forwards, Mats Zuccarello (arm), Brett Ritchie (hand), and Justin Dowling (upper-body) are all progressing but are still considered day-to-day. None of them are expected to be ready for Tuesday’s game against the Flyers, but the hope is that all three will be ready by the weekend.

For Zuccarello in particular, getting a game or two in before the start of the postseason should be of great benefit to him. Considering he’s only played 40 minutes in a Dallas Stars uniform and has been away from in-game action for five weeks, giving him an opportunity to play with the team before the intensity hikes up in the postseason should give him an opportunity to settle in.

And while Ritchie and Dowling haven’t necessarily served in influential roles for Dallas, their additions will be welcomed by a Stars lineup that could use offensive options.

In addition, goaltender Ben Bishop is also expected to be ready for the weekend slate.

Bishop exited Wednesday night’s game against the Flames after suffering a lower-body injury and was classified as day-to-day. And while the Stars are being cautious with their starter in preparation for the playoffs, Montgomery wants Bishop to get one more game in before the regular season ends.

“We want to play him, and he needs a game before we start the playoffs and it’s not good for (Anton Khudobin) to play every game, either,” Montgomery told Mark Stepneski of DallasStars.com on Monday afternoon.

In his absence, the Stars are 2-0-1, thanks largely in part to the play of Anton Khudobin. But having their two-pronged attack ready and healthy for the playoffs will be a key cog in the Stars’ success.

A new team pet

One of the trends around the NHL this season has been teams adopting puppies to serve as the new “team pet.” The St. Louis Blues, New York Rangers, and Montreal Canadiens are a few of the teams that have jumped on board with this new fad.

On Monday morning, the Dallas Stars made a big announcement about their new team pet. But, unlike other teams, they didn’t adopt a fluffy dog. Instead, they adopted a baby cow.

The Dallas Stars Foundation partnered with Seaton Land & Cattle Company to make it happen. It’s a different take on the “team pet” idea and gives the Stars yet another chance to be unique. After holding a brief fan voting session on Twitter, the name “Mike Moodano” handily defeated the other choices, being “Andy Moooooog,” “Sergei Moobov,” and “Joe Mooendyk.”

Moodano is scheduled to drop the puck on Fan Appreciation Night this coming Saturday against the Minnesota Wild. So, make sure to get in your seats ahead of the 7 p.m. scheduled puck drop to catch a glimpse of the newest member of the Dallas Stars family.

It was a busy Monday for the Stars as they get ready for the final week of the regular season campaign.

Let’s see how the final five days pan out.

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