The Dallas Stars Secret Recipe to Success: Reaction to ESPN’s Oettinger Feature

The Dallas Stars Secret Recipe to Success: Reaction to ESPN’s Oettinger Feature

On today’s episode of Locked On Stars, my reaction to ESPN’s feature on Jake Goter, who got vulnerable. We have the latest update on Matt Duchain following the hit he received against Minnesota and a preview of the Canucks for tonight. Your Locked On Stars, your daily podcast on the Dallas Stars, part of the Locked On podcast network. your team every day. Howdy stars fans. I’m Joey Ericson, former producer at 105 through the fan. Please be sure to subscribe. We are free and available wherever you get your podcast and on YouTube. And as always, thank you so much for making us a part of your day and making us your first listen. Welcome to this Thursday edition of Locked On Stars brought to you by Game Time. Today’s episode is brought to you by Game Time. Download the Game Time app. Create an account. Use the code lock. NHL for $20 off your first purchase. Locked on stars part of the lockdown podcast network your team every single day. Jay Cottoner had a feature done on him by ESPN last night and I thought I would dedicate a segment to it on today’s show. Want to give my reactions and thoughts maybe one final time on Pete Dbor and the departure and relationship that was severed during the Western Conference final last spring. We do have an update on Matt Duchain. It is better than expected, which is a good sign. And we’ll have a preview of the Canucks tonight as the Stars look to remain undefeated after taking down three Central Division foes to begin the season. They have their first Pacific opponent here tonight at the American Airlines Center. As always, thank you for the love and support on each and every episode. I really, really appreciate it. Grateful I get to do this and uh it is a lot of fun. Now, let’s uh let’s talk about this this Jay Goter feature. For those of you that have not seen it, really encourage you to find it on ESPN X, wherever, but a lot of tasty tasty nuggets in there. My main takeaway was was my goodness, Pete Dbor. appeared and was talking with so much conviction and almost disdain for what happened and he wasn’t even playing in the game. That’s when I I sort of perked up and was like, “Oh, it was really bad.” Like, this was a decision that had to be made by by Jim. Now, the stars had to part ways. It it it was so obvious listening to some of the the comments from Dumba, Mason Marchman, even Connor Halabuk was in there, which I think was a great perspective as another goalender who’s had some playoff struggles, who has been a workhorse in the regular season. And there’s just a lot of lot of good things. But that was my biggest takeaway, like, okay, the Stars had no choice. This this had to be done. And I’m I’m sure Dbor felt that way after the the press conference or at least a couple days a after there was just no saving this. And listening to Otter talk about going home and I can imagine the frustration. Look, I’ve been um in places after uh after games as an athlete. This is back when, you know, high school, but I I came home super upset since maybe something didn’t go my way. I can only imagine at that level, like this is times 100,000. Uh, but just trying to put yourself in the shoes of someone like him. Hard to do. Number one, I was never a goalender. Never really played a sport that felt like that position, like as lonely as that position can be. and being yanked after all the great work to get there. And I I can only I can only imagine the things that were going through his head when he was asked about what he said to maybe his wife and some family after and he’s like, I I don’t think I could repeat it. I I uh I I believe it. Um I’m sure that was just not the most fun car ride home. But the the second takeaway was wow how awesome is Marchman and Dumba or or just how great are his teammates and how they they went over to his house right after the game. Dumba and Marchman they went to to Otter’s house and they talked through it talked to uh about what happened transpired. They shaved their beards had a couple bruise. Um, I loved I loved hearing that. And for as much crap and criticism of I had about Matt Dumba as a player, seems like the most standup guy. Um, seemed like a guy that was loved within the the dressing room, was a leader. Um, I have criticisms of his of a player of course in Dallas, but I mean just seems like the ultimate teammate and to to hear that from him and how they they went to to support Otter after uh I I really love to hear that. I I think that was uh an awesome uh awesome little nugget in the feature and good to to know too. uh just because it’s it’s tough it’s tough to go through those as an athlete and uh you know Otter spoke on the fact that you know he’s had a lot of great times you know for the most part probably in his career he has had great things happen to him probably more often than negative things and um when you have to go through that adversity it is a bit new and it was just really amazing to see and here like his his best friends, his brothers on the team like came to his aid and supported him. That’s that’s a team, right? That’s a team. Um and you know, Dumba, you know, he could have been upset with what was going on. He didn’t play, I think, what the last couple games of the series. He could have been upset about his situation, but no, he go of a younger player, I think, says a lot about the person, but also says a lot just about the the culture the Stars have, and that is something that will last. That is what makes the Dallas Stars special. Not not to bore it helped of course, but that’s the stuff that that will stay and live on is that type of a dressing room camaraderie around the group. You can bring in a a bunch of different coaches. They’re going to have their own take on things and of course, but I think what makes the Stars special as a team too, even on the ice, um, is that type of camaraderie and to hear that support and two players, um, I know they’re on the Stars, uh, but, you know, Marchman’s gone now, but Dumba even who was a healthy scratch last couple games to to to be there for him. Um, I I just I think it’s wonderful. Um, and that was a main takeaway uh, for me. Those are the two main takeaways is well had no choice. They uh I I can imagine there was some guys in the in the room that were seething after Otter was was was taken out and yanked and and look I’ I’ve been on here on the record stated I’ll defend the board for making the move. I wouldn’t have done it probably wouldn’t have had the balls to to yank Jake but I understood where he’s coming from. But you got to live and die with you know with your decisions um as as a coach. Um and and he certainly did. Um and the Stars had to make a change, just no way they could have brought him back. Um uh you know, and as the weeks started to pass following the uh the conference final, just felt like it was inevitable. Um and the decision was was made. But I thought it was a wonderful feature. So, you know, snaps for Emily Kaplan. Uh she uh did an excellent job. Um, and Craig Tottinger for uh for for you know answering some of the tough questions and and kind of opening up um I think that’s why we all love him. Um and he’s a really damn good goalender too. Uh and uh I think it’s you know out to out to prove it this year. I think after what happened like kind of wants a little FU in this game. Like that’s good. Um, that’s all athletes, that’s all an athlete needs. Think, “Oh, you doubted me. You think I can’t do it?” Sometimes it’s all an athlete needs. Um, and uh, well, he’s off to a pretty good start. Otter has been great. What, 39 saves the other day, uh, against Minnesota. Uh, we’re going to talk about some of the shot quality, too, in the game. Sort of back up my point I made about thought Dallas was, you know, the better team sort of clearly at five on five. get into that some um as we uh preview Vancouver and some good stuff. Um but we do have some updates on Matt Duchain. What does it mean? Of course, how long? And now what is Dallas going to do to try to fill that void if he does miss an extended period of time? We’ll get into that in just a moment. Today’s episode of Lockdown Stars is brought to you by FanDuel. The NFL season is here. FanDuel has an offer you don’t want to miss. Right now, new customers can bet just $5 and get $300 in bonus bets if you win. That’s right. Pick a bet. Put down five bucks. If it hits, you’ll unlock $300 in bonus bets to use across the app. FanDuel gives you so many ways to play. You can build parlays, try player props, or even follow the live lines during the game. It makes watching football even more exciting. And whether uh you got a little something riding on the action, or you’re just, you know, watching your fantasy team, that’s where FanDuel can come in. you can have some fun. It makes the game day experience so much better. You got the NLCS, the ALCS going on, baseball, hockey, of course, and football on the weekends. It’s a great time to be a sports fan, especially in the United States. There’s just so much good stuff occurring right now as we speak. So, what are you waiting for? Visit FanDuel.com to get into the game. Download the FanDuel app today and get started. Head coach Glenn Gooson provided us with an update today and he labeled Matt Duchain day today. Um, and he was not ruled out for tonight uh when this episode comes up. Uh, this was uh not uh not the case. So, he he could potentially play, but daytoday, which I think puts obviously the the worst case scenario uh to to bed. The worst case was concussion, right? He he did take a pretty uh nasty little lick there from from Middleton on the open ice hit. He did not return to the bench following the uh uh the hit. Uh which I think many of us feared, oh that can’t be good. That’s a head injury of some kind, concussion. Him being labeled as day-to-day I think completely uh completely takes that off the table, which is great. And he’s not even ruled out. So maybe he comes back. I I think they probably give him a game or two off just to to make sure everything is is in order. There’s no reason to to to rush him back this early um in the season. Um obviously he’s he’s been great to start the year. Um and you want him in the lineup, but if he needs a couple days, he needs a couple days. Uh look, this is Matt Duchain, what 34 35 years old. um sometimes takes a bit longer to shake things off as you age. You’re not as quick to recovery and u I think that the stars will will be pretty cautious for him. But it’s a it’s a great great sign positive sign that it’s only daytoday. Um and uh I I think it takes away what we thought could have been uh worstc case scenario. Now um what will Dallas do if if he is out for a couple of days? I am intrigued. Um I I think they would move Steel back down to center and move Steel sort of into that third line slot. Um I think you play with Rcoian and Sean and and be fine. You can move Robo up back to that top line. Blackwell could play with a Johnson or Bourc if you needed to. Um or move Ritz Scobbyian up to that line with Johnson Bourke. Steel drops down of course to the third line with Steel and Blackwell. And then Adam Ernie checks in. Um I I would bet quite a bit of money that Ernie’s gonna get his uh debut in a stars sweater um tonight. Uh that would uh I I think uh be be the obvious choice if Duchaine’s not ready to go. U but to fill his void, I I think you can move Steel down to be your third line center. Robo jumps back up with the top line. That’s sort of been the top line anyways. I I know Robo starts um with with Johnston and Bourke, but they get put together quite a bit. Um and then you can move Ritzcoian up actually with Johnston and Bourc gets the young trio out there. Blackwell can move up play with Duchain and Sean and then you have your physical forking fourth line with Foxa between uh Ernie and Bastion. I I think that’s a a fine combination. I mean again he’s only dayto-day Matt Duchain. So maybe this is just a one game thing at most two and your shine is is back in the lineup. That’s how I would see the the trios uh maybe being trotted out. We’ll get more answers today. Be sure to follow us unlocked on stars on X and uh usually retweet the line combinations for morning practice and all that uh good stuff. Uh Petravic who um I I talked about on yesterday’s episode about him fighting uh who was it? It was Middleton after the hit to to Duchine. Um but I thought he looked excellent in the uh in his season debut. Um made a couple of really nice passes on defensive zone exits. Sort of did exactly what you would expect uh out of Patraic. He just he steps in and he’s reliable. He’s stable. Fits in great with uh Lean Bishell. Bishel’s been awesome. Um I’ve loved his patience with the puck. something I’ve I’ve wanted to bring up here over the last couple of days. I think he’s been really special um in terms of just his patience in his defensive zone with a puck on his stick. He doesn’t panic. Bitchell doesn’t panic and he he’s a bigger guy. He doesn’t just throw pucks away. He doesn’t just throw it up wall um and hope for the best. Like he makes sound conviction behind his his plays and his passes. And there’s so many times in the first couple of games here this season where he has the puck behind his neck. He’s pressured. And so just throwing the puck away. He he he’s calm. He’s confident. He makes a smart decision. Maybe hangs on to the puck longer than you would think. And then he’s able to make that pass and then the stars are are moving up the ice. I just I’ve loved his patience. Um and and Patravic stepped in right alongside him and made some some great plays. Um, and uh we’ll we’ll see if he gets the nod uh again tonight. Labouchkin was the the healthy scratch the other night. Um I I would think Ernie just gets in. I think that would probably uh it’s probably something Golitin was looking to do anyways. Whether Duchain was going to be hurt, I think there was probably a good shot Ernie was going to check in for somebody. But uh now with with Duchine maybe potentially missing, not ruled out again as of this moment um when I’m recording. But uh I think they they want to get uh Ernie involved and and hopefully they can stay on the box a bit too uh just to allow some other guys to to place some some more minutes. Um I I I I I think they would like to to get that fourth line a bit more involved, just have a little more balance. um uh because some penalties has caused uh some issues in terms of deployment and they’ve had to to shuffle up um some some lines. So if if they could stay on the box uh that that would help what um another four power plays the other night. So it’s uh what a total of 13 in the first three games. Uh they would uh like to uh to cut down on on that. Um I am curious may maybe the Smith goes tonight goes against a former club just just give Otter a a rest. Um actually that’s a an interesting topic. Uh I just want to sort of look at the schedule. Stars don’t have a backto back till the 25th 26. So uh yeah you know what Otter probably goes tonight. They uh well maybe not. I don’t know. I I’m thinking maybe Otter goes tonight. you give him four in a row and then you give to Smith the the start in St. Lewis on Saturday, then Otter can go, you know, one, two, uh, and he’s going to take one of the back-to-back games. So, he gets, you know, what, two out of the four there. Um, so, uh, might be a good spot for for Smith to get his his first work maybe even tonight. I I wouldn’t be shocked get some, you know, get a get a team at home. You get him in, um, here uh, to to make his season uh, debut. So, uh, no, uh, confirmation on on any lineups, but Duchain label day today, upper body injury. That’s a great sign. Look for Adam Ernie to potentially check in tonight. Um, I I bet they they get Leouchkin back in there, too. Um, just to to show uh, show him some love. Um, and uh, we’ll get a better idea of how they want to deploy. Look, Leouch, I would think, is kind of, you never know. um if if Patravvic continues to be solid. Um and well, he’s going to be solid more often than not. That’s just uh his uh his game. All righty. Uh so that was some updates on some lineups um and how maybe to expect the Stars to handle uh the lineup without Duchain potentially for the next couple of games. Let’s preview the Vancouver Conucks. Team I’m high on team that I think may make the Stanley playoffs this year. Let’s uh preview Vancouver. Some guys getting off to some slow starts again and uh hopefully another win. Keep the Stars undefeated. You can’t go 82 and0 unless you win the first four games of the season. We’ll be back to break down the Conucks in just a moment. Today’s episode of Locked on Stars is brought to you by Game Time. Our friends at Game Time are amazing. You’ve heard me talk about them so much throughout the off season and hockey season is officially here. Nothing beats being in the arena for those opening games, but let’s be real, getting tickets can be a headache. It’s a hassle sometimes between waiting in cues, surprise fees, prices that can jump. It’s easy to get frustrated when all you want to do just go watch the Stars game, right? That’s where Game Time comes in. The app that gives fans the advantage. It’s your ultimate life hack for scoring amazing NHL tickets fast, easy, and stressfree. Game time allows you to grab seats for the Dallas Stars or the Texas Rangers. I know they’re not playing, but next season, right? It makes it so much simpler. You can see this view from your seat before you buy it. So, you don’t have to worry about getting an obstructed view, which for the most part, you don’t have to worry about at the American Airlines Center. They have zone deals, which are game changer. You pick the section. Game time will pick your seats. You can even find NHL tickets for under $25. So, take the guesswork out of buying NHL tickets with Game Time. Download the Game Time app, create an account, use the code lock NHL for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. That’s code loed own NHL for $20 off. You can swipe, you can tap, pick it, and you go with game time. Vancouver Conucks come into tonight with a 1 and2 record following a loss to the St. Lewis Blues by a final score of five-2 and 0. Adam Foot the new head coach is Rick Tockett was dismissed in the summer. So, uh, Vancouver under new leadership like the Stars and, um, they’re having some some early issues and, uh, as you would expect, um, in Canada, uh, the sky is falling early, um, in the the season, but you know, about sort of the usual suspects. And I will say Vancouver, no matter how they’re doing, it it feels like they give Dallas a hassle, especially on the road. But, uh, the Conucks always seem to give Dallas some some issues. But, you have Patterson, Brock Besser, who just got his new deal. Um, and Patterson’s off to a slow start. No points in his first three games. You know, Besser has a couple of goals. Sherwood’s their leading scoreer, Colonel. He’s got three goals in the first uh three games, but I I I never really go to the big names with with Vancouver. It seems like some of the the players that give Dallas some fits are maybe those middle six guys. Uh Connor Garland, that’s a name I feel like has terrorized uh Dallas. Uh you know, Heedle, um Aander Kane, right? Um they got some some heavy bodies up front, but they are also dealing with a lot of injuries. Hoglander’s down. Uh Derek Forber, uh their defenseman, they’re they’re a veteran. He was just placed um on the IR, so he’s going to miss the the next handful uh of of games. They won their season opener against Calgary, but have since dropped uh two in a row. It looks like uh the Cucks could bring in Pier Oliver Joseph um off the injured reserve um to to fill in for Forber, otherwise they may have to to make a call up uh from the AHL. But uh Joseph may be ready at some point. um he he’s 26 and could uh slot in. Uh their defense moves the puck really well. That’s sort of their their uh I guess core um and their bread and butter. You got Quinn Hughes, you got Ronic, you got the two Pattersons um who are are very good. So, uh Dallas is is going to have to shut down Vancouver’s transition game. That’s that’s where you can get in trouble with Vancouver because of the talent they have on the back end. they can move pucks up. Stars have to make sure they get pucks in deep, not turn over uh not making turnovers at the opposing blue line. Vancouver coming back the other way on an oddman rush. Uh because they can make you pay. They have some talent. Um you know, there’s some guys that maybe you’ve never heard of. No disrespect. Uh but again, Vancouver can give you fits. Um and Demco is a great goalender, right? We know what Thatcher Demco can be. Stars last year made opposing goalenders. didn’t matter who it was. Some look like Vzna uh candidates nights u on on on some occasions. So, uh they have to they have to to be sharp um and and and not just waltz into the game. Um they had a really poor start to Minnesota against Minnesota the first two and a half minutes. Um but they picked up they they need to come out on fire um and and get on Vancouver early. Um don’t don’t allow them to gain some life. Don’t allow that offense to to find a rhythm. Uh because so far um they’ve struggled uh a bit. Um their power play here in the early going. They’re 0 for seven. Uh so they haven’t looked great on that side of special teams. Their their PK um is at 91%. So um they they’ve been fine on that side of of things. But uh eight goals uh this season. It’s all at even strength so far. Um, so don’t don’t allow a struggling power play to find a rhythm. Um, and the Stars power plays looking good. Um, I I like the the sets. I like the puck movement. Um, especially against Minnesota. He usually struggles with the PK. A bit better of a challenge here tonight um against Vancouver. But caution, I I caution players like Garland, Heedle, even like those those middle six guys that have given Dallas some fits um in the past. And we all know what special talent they have on the back end. Uh they they they have to to shut down uh the ability for those guys to jump up, join the rush um because they will generate quite a bit of offense. But, you know, so far it’s been some of the depth guys for for for Vancouver that have chipped in. Um, as I said, I mean, nothing for Person here. Um, just just the one one assist um in in three games. He’s only playing 1558, so he’s not playing a ton. They’re pretty balanced when you look at uh a lot of the distribution. Like Garland’s played their most 18 minutes. Uh Besser’s behind him 1748. Uh so uh this will be a a really fascinating contest. Timco’s been great though. 944 save percentage, 1.54 goals against um in a couple starts. Uh he’s one and one, so he can provide issues, that’s for sure. He uh he made 17 of 18 saves in the win against Calgary in the opener. He stopped 3436 against Edmonton uh in in the loss. So he can certainly hold you in a in a ball game. Um, and we all know Dallas, uh, over the first couple games, they’ve gotten some leads in the third period, uh, they’ve they’ve struggled. Um, they they’ve struggled to maybe shut the door completely, although they closed the game down against Minnesota the other night. Uh, you wouldn’t like you would like it to not be that close and not make it that uh, interesting, but sometimes that’s what the the Stars do. U, maybe prediction time. Why not? Let’s drop some predictions. I I like the Stars. I think this is a good spot again for for Dallas. They’re going to lose eventually, but I like this spot. I’ll go 51. 5-1. Gigantic win for Dallas. They flex their muscles and um the Stars remain undefeated tonight. Um player of the game, throw it out there. Um prediction for the Supernova. We’re doing Galaxy Great now this season. If you don’t know what that is, check out yesterday’s episode. We’re doing Galaxy Great. It’s fun. Supernova, which is basically our number one star. Um, let’s give it to Robo. Robo’s flying around. Maybe a hat-tick. Why not? I’ll put it in the books. Put in the books. Robertson hat-trick 5-1 Stars beat Vancouver. That’ll do it for today’s episode of Locked On Stars. Hey, if you’re craving more hockey content, Stars fans, check out Locked On NHL Game Night. You can find it on YouTube or wherever you get your podcast. They will do breakdowns of each and every game after the conclusion of every night. They’re a lot of fun. Every once in a while I throw in a short. You can listen to me ramble uh a bit, but you can listen to other teams, other local channels and how they feel about their games after each and every night. It’s great stuff. You can follow Lock on NHL. Be sure to subscribe to Lockdown Stars. Hit the notification bell. Thank you as always for the love and support. Great rest of your day. We’ll be back tomorrow with a breakdown of the Vancouver Stars contest. Hopefully with a win and plenty more to get you off into your weekend. So long, Stars fans.

Dallas Stars stun with ESPN spotlight on Jake Oettinger. Is a deep playoff run on the horizon? Host Joey Erickson breaks down the Stars’ recent developments, highlighting Oettinger’s ESPN feature and its impact on team dynamics. The discussion covers Matt Duchene’s injury status, potential lineup changes, and how Pete DeBoer’s tactics are reshaping the Stars’ strategy. Key topics include Dallas’ defensive improvements, the upcoming challenge against the Vancouver Canucks, and Jason Robertson’s potential for a hat trick. Don’t miss this in-depth analysis of the Stars’ path to success. Will Dallas capitalize on Vancouver’s struggles and secure a dominant win?

Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…
🎧 https://link.chtbl.com/LOStars?sid=YouTube

Locked On NHL League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Prospects & More
🎧 https://linktr.ee/LockedOnNHL

Follow the show on Twitter: https://twitter.com/LockedOnStars
Follow the show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lockedonstars/

#NHL #DallasStars #Hockey

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!

Gametime
Today’s episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNHL for $20 off your first purchase.
Monarch Money
Take control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONNHL at monarchmoney.com/lockedonnhl for 50% off your first year.
FanDuel
Download the FanDuel app now by visiting FanDuel.com and win $300 in bonus bets if your first $5 bet wins.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)