The Stars came up short against the Hurricanes in what was the second of three consecutive overtime losses heading into the NHL All-Star break. Yes, that’s a problem; yes, David Castillo will be writing about it this week.
Elsewhere, the Mavericks avenged their opening-night loss in Phoenix at a steep cost: Luka Doncic going down in the first quarter with an ankle injury.
Here’s what I’m watching this week:
Monday, 1/30 through ???—When will Luka Doncic return from his ankle injury?—Various times and networks
The good news is this isn’t serious; an ESPN report prior to Dallas’ loss at Utah characterized the Slovenian superstar’s injury as a “mild sprain” that leaves him day to day. But the Mavs are 0-6 in games Doncic sits out, so every contest matters. Yes, even Monday night’s game against Detroit, the worst team in the East, given that Dallas lost these teams’ first matchup back in December.
Barring a setback, it seems safe to expect Doncic back sometime this week. But how much ground will Dallas lose in the tightly bunched Western Conference standings before he does?
Saturday, 2/4—Will Jason Robertson score in his first NHL All-Star game?—2 p.m., ESPN
Whether or not the NHL would admit it, the league almost certainly hopes he can.
Because, as Sean Shapiro wrote earlier this month, Robertson is on the fast track toward becoming one of hockey’s newest superstars.
Saturday, 2/4—Dallas Open Women’s Tennis Classic—7 p.m.
Sloane Stephens and Madison Keys will kick off the week-long tennis tournament after the original matchup between Venus Williams and Danielle Collins was derailed once Williams suffered an injury in the Australian Open.
Stephens has won five of seven career matchups against Keys, but Keys is currently ranked 15 spots ahead of Stephens in current WTA rankings (24th versus 39th). Who will come out on top at SMU?
Either way, get ready for plenty of Dallas Open coverage on StrongSide via Brandon Call.
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