Dallas, TX
Despite Game 1 loss, Jim Nill’s Dallas Stars are built to bounce back vs. Avalanche
Jim Nill could teach Nico Harrison a thing or two about how to make a trade that sends shock waves through the rest of the league without pulling the props out from under your own front porch in the process. Both general managers made blockbuster deadline moves in an attempt to win now. As of Friday night, Nico’s officially a year in arrears.
Even after Saturday’s 5-1 opening-game loss to Colorado at American Airlines Center, Nill still has a pretty good shot at his first Stanley Cup as a GM.
Might as well go ahead and win it all now, too, before people start to think it’s a Dallas thing.
On one hand, the Stars go into Game 2 with not just one eight-game losing streak but two. There’s eight straight this season as well as eight in a row leading off a playoff series.
On the other hand, they’ve bounced back after a Game 1 loss before. Five of the last seven playoff series, to be exact.
“There’s no confidence issue,” said Pete DeBoer, who seemed to believe it.
Certainly the Stars are good enough to turn this around. Also good enough to win their first championship this century. Even without Jason Robertson for a few more games, and Saturday’s evidence to the contrary, they’ve got the firepower and the goalie in Jake Oettinger.
Once Miro Heiskanen returns — he looked like he might be close at Saturday’s morning skate — they’ll have enough defense.
“He’s a world-class player,” Thomas Harley said, “and we miss him.”
Unfortunately, the Stars’ bigger problem Saturday was they didn’t miss Mackenzie Blackwood nearly enough. Just once, in fact, on a power-play goal by Roope Hintz in the third, when Blackwood’s stick was stuck in the net.
The breakthrough cut Colorado’s lead to 2-1, which is when it all went to pieces. The Avs’ last three goals included an empty netter and another goal so bad it nearly emptied the building.
If there’s been any criticism of Nill’s deadline work, it’s that he doubled down on offense with the acquisition of Mikko Rantanen instead of dressing up his blue line. Rantanen is clearly still feeling his way along. As for DeBoer’s defense, he said his only problem was giving Colorado eight minutes of power play to play with.
In the scoreless first period, it was tough sledding for both teams. Broken sticks littered the ice like driftwood on a beach.
But, even before Colorado’s late barrage, they proved to be the better team Saturday. Through two periods, as the Avs took a 2-0 lead, they’d won more face-offs (24-17), outshot (18-17) and outhit (23-12) the Stars, who looked like they were still trying to shake the cobwebs out of their heads from a seven-game losing streak to end the regular season.
Were the Avs also lucky? Sure. They got their first goal after Oettinger stopped Artturi Lehkonen’s shot, only to watch the rebound hit Lehkonen’s skate as he slid toward the crease, the puck caroming over Otter’s shoulder.
“Hell of a soccer play,” DeBoer said, smiling.
On a Colorado power play after Hintz’s double-minor, Nathan MacKinnon also flicked a puck that clipped Otter’s glove.
That was pretty much all that was needed Saturday to undo the Stars, who haven’t won the first game of a playoff series since 2020. Not ideal to keep digging themselves a hole early, but not a deal-killer, either.
Even if they don’t pull this series out, chances are nobody’s getting fired. Certainly not Nill. Could Pete DeBoer be on the hot seat? He got 106 points out of a team missing its best player (Heiskanen) and Tyler Seguin for a chunk of the season. Some bitterness lingers from how he handled the end of the Stars’ playoff run last year, but Nill isn’t firing him now.
Not when he lacks a front-line replacement for a team built to win now.
For the record, Nico’s probably not getting fired, either, even if he deserves it for trading Luka Doncic. For one thing, Patrick Dumont backed the trade publicly. He can’t back off Nico now.
Besides, before making the worst trade in Dallas sports history, Nico had shown a knack for making deals that led to a conference finals appearance and a finals run. He should get the opportunity to prove he can still make this work.
Missing the playoffs again next year ought to do it for all those unhappy campers out there.
Maybe even a one-and-done.
Fortunately, the Stars, though down a game once again, play on. Even if most left early, enough fans hung around with two minutes left to mount a decent “Fire Nico” chant. Only one GM working at AAC is safe these days.
Twitter/X: @KSherringtonDMN
Tripped up: See photos from Dallas Stars’ Game 1 loss to Colorado Avalanche
Find more Stars coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.
Dallas, TX
25,000 free Dallas teen passes available June 29 for museums, zoo and more
Dallas Parks and Recreation will distribute 25,000 all-access passes that give Dallas teens free admission to cultural and recreational attractions across the city throughout July.
Passes will be available beginning June 29 on a first-come, first-served basis at City of Dallas recreation centers.
The program, now entering its fifth year, is open to Dallas residents ages 13 to 17. City leaders say the initiative, which launched in 2021, helps promote positive engagement opportunities for teens and reduce crime during the summer months.
Teens must register in person and provide proof of Dallas residency to receive a pass.
The city says the program is made possible through partnerships with local cultural, recreational, and entertainment organizations.
Participating attractions include:
- African American Museum
- Bahama Beach
- Bath House Cultural Center
- Latino Cultural Center
- South Dallas Cultural Center
- Oak Cliff Cultural Center
- Dallas Museum of Arts
- Community Art Pop Up Cultural
- Dallas Arboretum
- Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum
- Dallas Park and Recreation Summer Fitness
- Dallas Zoo
- Frontiers of Flight Museum
- Golf Dallas
- Reunion Tower
- Shakespeare of Dallas
- State Fair of Texas
- Southern Skates Roller Rink
- Texas Discover Garden
- The Sixth Floor Museum At Dealey Plaza
- Trinity River Audubon
A full list of participating attractions and recreation centers distributing passes is available at DallasParks.org
Dallas, TX
At least 4 injured after vehicle drives into Dallas crowd, driver arrested
At least four people were injured after a vehicle drove into a crowd of people in Dallas on Thursday evening.
Dallas police responded to an “Assist Officer call with an Ambulance” at approximately 7 p.m. in the 300 block of West Davis Street.
Authorities learned that a vehicle drove into a crowd, injuring multiple people. At least four have been taken to a local hospital for treatment. Police said no one was in critical condition.
The driver of the vehicle was arrested at the scene, police said. Authorities are still working to determine if this driver could have been drunk or if this could have been a medical episode.
According to police, there is no indication that the crash was terrorism related.
The investigation is ongoing.
This story will be updated as we learn more.
Dallas, TX
FOX’s Kasper Schmeichel compares England to Dallas Cowboys, so who are their other sports analogs?
Scottish World Cup fans reportedly drink Boston dry
Dana Perino announces that Scottish World Cup fans have caused an unprecedented beer shortage in Boston, emptying bars and liquor stores. Jesse Watters playfully observes that Europeans visiting America seem to “love it,” despite negative media portrayals, while Greg Gutfeld adds a satirical comment about “liberal mayors” and local resource management, contrasting Boston’s beer woes with LA’s water and Chicago’s Bears.
FOX Soccer analyst Kasper Schmeichel came prepared for this year’s World Cup on American soil.
The former Danish goalkeeper may not be from around these parts, but that didn’t stop him from dropping an eerily accurate comparison between two overconfident but long-suffering sports programs.
With England and Croatia warming up inside AT&T Stadium, the home of the Dallas Cowboys, Schmeichel decided he would roast two fanbases with one stone, comparing the Cowboys to the Three Lions with a hilarious one-liner.
Funny, but also painfully true if you’re a supporter of either team.
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I made a comparison last week between the English national team and Notre Dame, but Schmeichel got me thinking, who are the sports analogs to England from the four major North American leagues (NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA)?
Today, I will be doing exactly that, including giving a slightly better NFL comp than the Cowboys (shocking, I know).
Without further ado, let’s piss off our neighbors from across the pond.
FROM 4 STRAIGHT SUPER BOWL LOSSES TO JOSH ALLEN’S PATRICK MAHOMES PROBLEM, BILLS MIGHT BE CURSED
NFL – Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears helmets are displayed before the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nev., on Sept. 28, 2025. (Kiyoshi Mio/Imagn Images)
While the Dallas Cowboys are a fine comparison for the English national soccer team, I think I can do one better.
Schmeichel mentioned that England “won it once and have never stopped talking about it,” and although the second part of that statement applies to both, the Cowboys are five-time Super Bowl champions, having won it most recently in January 1996, a good three decades after England.
If you really want a team that more accurately mirrors the hard luck of the English, it would have to be the Chicago Bears.
3 HISTORIC NFL FRANCHISES FIND THEMSELVES IN SAME BOAT SINCE TURN OF THE CENTURY
They have one Super Bowl win to their name, which came 40 years ago, and really don’t have much else to show for it.
Also, having lived in the DFW area for the better part of a decade, I can confidently say Cowboys fans are a little too arrogant and cocky to be compared to the English.
Sure, England will say things like “it’s coming home,” but they are far more self-deprecating and aware of their faults, even nihilistic in some cases.
The Bears hang onto their history because they know things will inevitably go bad for them on the biggest stage.
Speaking of which…
NHL – Toronto Maple Leafs
Spencer Carbery, assistant coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs, looks on from the bench during the third period against the Washington Capitals at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ont., on April 14, 2022. (Kevin Sousa/NHLI via Getty Images)
The Toronto Maple Leafs actually line up with England more closely than either fanbase would like to admit.
While the Leafs have a litany of Stanley Cups to their name, their most recent win was back in 1967, less than a full year after England won their first and only World Cup.
As far as expectations go, both constantly go into their respective tournaments with the weight of the world on their shoulders, only to come crashing down in the most horrific ways imaginable.
For the Leafs, it comes in the form of blowing big leads in the playoffs, while English fans and players alike can’t even hear the words “penalty kicks” without having a mental breakdown.
England and Toronto are both long-suffering cities, but their fans keep showing up expecting a different outcome.
Insanity? No, just sports fandom.
NBA – New York Knicks
Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks celebrates a three-point basket with Karl-Anthony Towns during Game Two of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, on June 5, 2026. (Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)
This one would have been an even better comparison if the New York Knicks hadn’t gone and won the whole damn thing this year, but these two sports teams are still eerily similar.
WHY THE KNICKS, DISRESPECTED BUT CLAWING BACK, TOUCHED A RAW NERVE IN NEW YORK CITY AND ULTIMATELY THE COUNTRY
Think of the Knicks’ 2026 NBA Championship run as a window into what it would look like if England captured a World Cup (on American soil, no less).
Before this year, the Knicks famously had not won a Larry O’Brien trophy in over 50 years, yet they were still considered one of the “blue bloods” of the NBA.
Decades of heartache didn’t change that; it only made their fans more insufferable, but their triumph earlier this month in the NBA Finals exorcised all those demons.
THE ATHLETIC BEWILDERINGLY CELEBRATES ‘ZOHRAN MAMDANI SPORTS SUMMER’ AFTER NEW YORK KNICKS WIN NBA FINALS
A win in the World Cup Finals would probably do the same for England fans, as you could probably feel that sigh of relief from the other side of the Atlantic.
MLB – New York Mets
New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto reacts after scoring a run on an RBI double by infielder Bo Bichette against the San Francisco Giants during the first inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on April 2, 2026. (Robert Edwards/Imagn Images)
Hello again, New York.
The Big Apple certainly has its fair share of winners, but it also has plenty of franchises that are aching to make a trip back down the Canyon of Heroes, none more so than the Mets.
Year after year, the Mets are near the top of MLB in terms of spending, with little to show for their efforts.
WATCH THE WORLD CUP FINAL ON FOX ONE
They won a World Series back in 1986 and have been chasing that high ever since.
The common thread between England and the Mets (along with all the other teams on this list) is expectations relative to results, and it seems like the Mets are sort of a Schrödinger’s baseball franchise in that regard, expected to both compete for a World Series with their high-priced talent and flame out in spectacular fashion all the same.
FOX ONE’S NEW WORLD CUP VIEWING EXPERIENCE
England always has flashy players heading into World Cup play, but the results haven’t been there, and they’ve often been sent home in brutal fashion, offering a great parallel to the Mets’ clockwork-like midsummer swoons and late-season meltdowns.
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