DALLAS — John Klingberg leads NHL defensemen with 39 points, the next closest defenseman is eight points behind.
So barring a huge offensive week from Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson or Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere, Klingberg should still be leading the NHL scoring when the Stars return from their bye week next Saturday against the Colorado Avalanche.
So that starts to bring up the following question, where does Klingberg rank amongst NHL defenseman? Not as a point producer, but overall?
“Well I think if he keeps improving he should be up there (with) the best,” Stars coach Ken Hitchcock said. “He’s made a change in the way he plays which has helped him a lot. He’s adapted to being a big-minutes player. He’s worked hard at keeping it simple from the red line back and that’s really helped his game. He’s not exposed himself. He’s not put himself in tough spots physically and I think it’s allowed him to be a much better player. Is offensive gifts are through the roof. Then there’s a lot of players like in the league but he’s go special gifts that way but I think because he’s able to manage the game we don’t get hemmed in near as much. I think that’s a good sign.”
Stars captain Jamie Benn was asked directly, “Should John Klingberg be considered for the Norris Trophy?”
“One hundred percent, he’s such a dynamic player,” Benn said. “And a leader on this team and I think this year he’s taking his game to another level, and it’s showing out their on the ice.”
For his part, Klingberg isn’t worried about those things at this moment. He said points are part of his game, but his overall game and team success are more important.
“I’m pleased with how far it’s gone for me, coming into this season I wanted to just change my game,” Klingberg said. “Obviously talking to Hitch in the summers and Rick (Wilson) before the camp that was huge for me and they’ve been helping me a lot.”
Stars forward Alexander Radulov said there also could have been some added motivation against the Edmonton Oilers for Klingberg, who had a goal and two assists, after Team Sweden lost to the Canadians in the championship game of the 2018 World Junior Championships.
“Sweden lost yesterday, I think he was mad and that’s why he had a good game today,” Radulov said.
“Edmonton is in Canada, right?,” Klingberg retorted.
While the Stars have been more than happy with Klingberg’s play, winning the Norris Trophy might be a bit far-fetched. He doesn’t play enough minutes, something voters look for, and he’s also not the top defensive defenseman on his own team.
When the Stars need to lock down a game they turn to Greg Pateryn and Dan Hamhuis with the Radek Faksa line, not Klingberg. Hitchcock discussed that on Saturday after that group of five was tasked with shutting down Connor McDavid.
“It’s not just the Faksa line it’s the group of five. As important as they are to our team right now that pair of Hamhuis and Pateryn they play as a five-man unit and they’re very good,” Hitchcock said. “It’s not just the three (forwards) it’s the five-man unit and that five-man unit has given us a chance every night because they’ve opened up space for other people which has made us a much stronger team.”
Bishop continues to roll
Ben Bishop made his 10th straight start on Saturday and stopped 37 shots.
Bishop was good early and has six days before the Stars next game, but is there any concern about overworking the goalie?
“He’s a really competitive guy and I feel like in the business of goaltending if you’re in a rhythm,” Hitchcock said. “If you’re in a rhythm stay in the rhythm and run the rhythm out until you see a lack of energy. And I haven’t seen the lack of energy, he was in the rhythm and we kept him going. That was what we decided. It’s going to be more difficult now. We’ve got back-to-backs and (Lehtonen) is going to have carry a big load here help us out but Ben was in a rhythm and we decided to run with it.”
With that mindset Kari Lehtonen will likely make his next start when the Stars play a back-to-back against the Boston Bruins and Detroit Red Wings on Jan. 15 and 16.
Odds and Ends
Forward Tyler Seguin recorded three points (1-2=3) against the Oilers. He is now riding a four-game point streak (3-3=6) and has inked the scoresheet in seven of his last eight games (7-4=11). In 43 regular-season games, Seguin has 40 points (21-19=40). In 22 games this season at American Airlines Center, Seguin has 26 points (15-11=26) and has points in four-straight games (3-3=6) on home ice.
· Forward Alexander Radulov notched three points (1-2=3) vs. Edmonton on Saturday afternoon and now has recorded three-point outings in back-to-back games (last game: one goal, two assists vs. New Jersey). The native of Nizhny Tagil, Russia has registered 38 points (16-22=38) in 43 games during his first season with Dallas. Radulov has registered 23 points (9-14=23) in 22 games at American Airlines Center this season. On home ice, he has points in four of his last five games (4-5=9).
· Forward Mattias Janmark recorded two points (1-1=2) on Saturday against Edmonton. Janmark now has a two-game goal streak (2-1=3) and has points in five of his six games (4-3=7). He has 23 points (10-13=23) in 43 games this season.
· Captain Jamie Benn potted a goal (1-0=1) vs. Edmonton and now has 39 points (17-22=39) in 43 games this season.
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