Latest news with #LianBichsel
Time of India
5 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Lian Bichsel set for breakout season as Dallas Stars' physical presence
Lian Bichsel (via Getty Images) Swiss blueliner Lian Bichsel established himself last season in his initial full year in the NHL , and now the 21-year-old appears ready to play a larger role for the Dallas Stars in the 2025-26 season. With the rosters in flux on the blue line and postseason experience under his belt, Lian Bichsel is set to become the foundation of the defensive identity of the team. Rookie year sets stage for greater expectations from Lian Bichsel At 6-foot-7, 231 pounds, Lian Bichsel's size was never an issue, but last year showed that he could pair that size with poise and versatility at the top level. After beginning the year with the AHL's Texas Stars, where he accumulated 9 points in 28 games, Lian Bichsel got an NHL call-up in December. A mid-season trip back to the minors provided him more time to work on his game, but fate intervened again in January when Miro Heiskanen suffered a season-ending knee injury. Since then, Lian Bichsel has become a mainstay in the Dallas Stars lineup, sharing shifts with veterans Ilya Lyubushkin and Matt Dumba. Lian Bichsel | 2024-25 Highlights Physical presence becomes crucial following offseason exits These offseason additions to the Dallas Stars defense—losing Cody Ceci, Matt Dumba, and Brendan Smith—make Bichsel's role more critical. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like What Will Happen to Your Body If You Start Eating 3 Eggs Every Day? Undo Of the returners among defensemen, he is the Stars' most physical defenseman, leading them with 155 hits in only 38 regular-season contests, averaging 16.4 per 60 minutes. That physicality ratcheted up in the playoffs, where he had an astonishing 21 hits per 60. However, it is important to note that head coach Pete DeBoer will have several right-shot options to match with Bichsel. And any pairing might ask the Swiss defender to modify his game. Also read: Lian Bichsel's brutal injury could be the breaking point in Stars vs. Avalanche showdown Achieving physicality and discipline Though Bichsel's playoff hit numbers received acclaim, so did his giveaways during the playoffs. Entering his first complete season in the NHL, the test for Bichsel will be reconciling his enforcer role with disciplined, intelligent hockey. With his size, propensity for dropping the gloves to defend teammates, and growing comfort on North American ice, Bichsel has a chance to be one of the most effective physical blue liners in the league. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Stars Need Depth Offense to Step Up to Even Series
The Dallas Stars are looking to even up the series in Game 4 of the Western Conference Final against the Edmonton Oilers. They dropped Game 3 to Edmonton, 6-1 in what looked to be their most dominate performance of the series, although the scoreboard does not reflect what was a close game until it wasn't. A theme that has been running through this playoff run for the Stars is their lack of scoring from their depth. Dallas had eight 20+ goal scorers in the regular season and it seems as though they all went cold at the same exact time which is not ideal. However, their loan goal of Game 3 came from what initially was thought to be Lian Bichsel, but was later changed to Jason Robertson. Either of which would have been their first of the playoffs. It would be easy to get caught up in the officiating in Game 3 which led to some really unfortunate circumstances for the Stars, but the bottom line is that they have to get pucks in the back of the net. Even if you took goals off the board from Edmonton that came from situations that "shouldn't have happened," the Stars still don't win due to lack of scoring. The key to Game 4 is going to be get on the board, preferably first, but once they get on the board, they cannot let up. The Oilers have proven time and time again that they can strike at any moment and they can score an onslaught of goals in a very short period of time. The other area they have to focus on is their defensive game. The Stars are never going to skate faster than Connor McDavid and friends, so they are going to have to be smart. They are going to have to rely on the details of positioning their bodies and sticks and being in the right place at the right time. Roope Hintz is still a game time decision and did not participate in an optional morning skate. Hintz did not play in Game 3 and left the game early in Game 2 due to a slash to the top of the foot by Darnell Nurse. Hintz has been a part of the all Finnish line with Mikko Rantanen and Mikael Granlund that has been carrying the Stars through the scoring drought. It will be imperative for the Stars to get Hintz back and playing at his normal self to help even up the series. Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch announced that Connor Brown would be out for Game 4. Brown left Game 3 early after a big hit from Alexander Petrovic. Calvin Pickard has been out since the second game of their series against the Vegas Golden Knights. Knoblauch stated Pickard was an option to back up Stuart Skinner. Mattias Ekholm is still out as well. Stars head coach, Pete DeBoer, stated there was still belief in their room after the massive loss in Game 3. It's hard to imagine if they don't win tonight and even up the series going back to Dallas that there isn't some panic. Tonight's game can be viewed on ESPN at 7pm CST. Make sure you bookmark THN's Dallas Stars site for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Stars Fall Flat For Second Straight Game. Oilers Take 2-1 Series Lead Stars Look to Spark Some Offense and Take Series Lead in Edmonton No Further Discipline on Play Leading to Stars Forward Injury Stars Offense Runs Dry Again, Oilers Tie Series Follow Taylor on Twitter: @THN_taylor
Newsweek
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
How to Watch Oilers vs Stars: Live Stream NHL Western Conference Finals, TV Channel
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The NHL field has been pared down to four teams, with the Edmonton Oilers and Dallas Stars set to drop the puck in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals on Wednesday night in Dallas. Lian Bichsel #6 of the Dallas Stars collides with Jeff Skinner #53 of the Edmonton Oilers during the game at Rogers Place on March 26, 2025 in Edmonton, Canada. Lian Bichsel #6 of the Dallas Stars collides with Jeff Skinner #53 of the Edmonton Oilers during the game at Rogers Place on March 26, 2025 in Edmonton, Canada. Photo byHow to Watch Oilers vs. Stars Game 1: When: Wednesday, May 21, 2025 Time: 8:00 PM ET Where: American Airlines Center TV Channel: ESPN Live Stream: Fubo (Try for free!) After surviving a grueling seven-game series in the first round against the Colorado Avalanche, the Stars aligned in a six-game series win over the Winnipeg Jets in the second round. The Stars stole home ice advantage in Game 1, then took advantage by winning Game 3, Game 4, and Game 6, all at American Airlines Center. Winger Mikko Rantanen led the team in scoring during the series with four goals (adding three assists), while 23-year-old defenseman Thomas Harley led the team in assists with four. The path for Edmonton has been surprisingly easy, with a 4-2 series win over the Los Angeles Kings in the first round and a dominant 4-1 series win over the Vegas Golden Knights in the second. Although they'd prefer to be at home, the last series showed that Edmonton is comfortable on the road, as they won Game 1, Game 2, and Game 5 on the road. Goaltender Stuart Skinner is on a hot run, having two consecutive shutout wins to his credit. The Stars and Oilers faced off three times during the regular season, with Dallas winning twice. Live stream Oilers at Stars Game 1 on Fubo free: Start your subscription now! Regional restrictions may apply. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation.
Time of India
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Lian Bichsel's brutal injury could be the breaking point in Stars vs. Avalanche showdown
Bichsel's injury throws Dallas' playoff hopes into uncertainty (Image via: Getty Images) Dallas Stars defenseman Lian Bichsel went down with a scary injury in Game 6 against the Colorado Avalanche , shaking up the team's playoff momentum. The 20-year-old rookie has been a defensive standout this postseason, and his unexpected exit could have major consequences. With the series hanging in the balance, Bichsel's health suddenly becomes Dallas' biggest concern. Dallas Stars' playoff control slips after Lian Bichsel's Game 6 injury The Dallas Stars were cruising with confidence, holding a 3-2 lead over the Colorado Avalanche in their high-stakes first-round playoff battle. With a roster stacked with scorers like Jason Robertson, Matt Duchene, and Roope Hintz, it's easy to focus on the flash. But anyone really watching knows it's been the defense, especially 20-year-old Lian Bichsel, that's kept Colorado's lethal offense in check. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Google Brain Co-Founder Andrew Ng, Recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo Midway through the second period of Game 6, Bichsel crashed violently into the boards during a routine battle with Jack Drury. It didn't look ordinary and it didn't feel minor. The young Swiss blueliner stayed down, clutching what appeared to be his shoulder, and needed help to leave the ice. Just like that, the Stars' backbone looked broken. Without Bichsel, Can Stars be able to hold the line? Bichsel may only be in his rookie season, but his impact has been anything but rookie-level. He's been logging double-digit minutes with composure, physicality, and a maturity beyond his years. In fact, it's Bichsel's pairing with veteran Alex Petrovic that has helped keep Colorado's sixth-ranked regular-season offense frustrated and limited. His absence, whether temporary or long-term, could dramatically alter the tone of this series. The Avalanche, hungry and dangerous, only need the smallest crack to seize momentum. And if Bichsel's shoulder injury keeps him sidelined, Dallas might have just given them one. Also Read: Capitals finally win again but can Alex Ovechkin carry them any further? As of now, the Stars have not confirmed the severity of the injury. But the optics don't lie, he wasn't able to skate off alone, and he hasn't returned. That silence is deafening for a team that has relied on his quiet brilliance all postseason. The Stars still lead the series. But if Bichsel is out, the road to Round 2 just got a lot steeper.
