Esa Lindell’s Underrated Role
DENVER — Esa Lindell has spent his entire 10-year NHL career in Dallas. He’s donned the victory green for over 770 total games between the regular season and playoffs.
But only now is he getting the proper recognition.
Seguin’s Appreciation
Tyler Seguin has been there with him for his entire career.
“I told Esa a little while ago that I haven’t fully appreciated him over the years,” Seguin said late Wednesday night after the Stars’ 2-1 overtime win in Game 3 against Colorado. “I haven’t seen it as a player as much as I saw it over the last months of watching on TV.”
Seguin, who had hip surgery in December, watched over 50 Stars games on TV or from the press box this season, getting a new view at just how valuable Lindell is to the roster.
Lindell’s Heroics
On Wednesday night, he and the entire country saw it again, as Lindell saved a goal with a blocked shot in front of an empty net during the 3:21 penalty kill the Stars opened overtime with.
Lindell was on the ice for almost the entire penalty kill early in overtime that swung the momentum in Dallas’ direction and allowed for the game-winning goal by Seguin just minutes later. He logged 27:19 of ice time in Game 3, including 8:09 short-handed.
“He’s the best PKer in the league,” Stars goalie Jake Oettinger said. “He saved the game with that block, and that’s all second effort, doing whatever it takes to win. So dinner’s on me tomorrow night for Esa.”
Penalty Kill Success
The Finnish defenseman led a penalty kill that went a perfect 6 for 6 against Colorado’s lethal power play, which features some of the top skill players in the league, like Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar. The Stars were in a trying situation entering overtime after Mason Marchment was charged with a double minor in the last minute of regulation, but the penalty kill again persevered.
Wednesday was just another example of what the group has done all season — and for three seasons under the current coaching staff. The Stars finished fourth in the league this year in penalty kill at 82%. They’ve finished top 10 in the league in that category in each of the last three years.
System and Coaching
Much of that can be attributed to the system assistant coach Alain Nasreddine has built.
“He was one of my first hires,” DeBoer said. “I always appreciated his detail on the penalty kill, even when he was in New Jersey prior to me hiring him. He’s brought that to our group and a belief, and it’s been right from Day 1. It’s been an elite group regardless of who we’ve put in and out, and we’ve had some really good penalty killers come in and out.”
Player Turnover
The Stars have had more turnover on their penalty kill than any other area over the last three years. Chris Tanev, Jani Hakanpää, Luke Glendening and Radek Faksa were among the leaders in PK minutes that have all shifted to other teams. As Miro Heiskanen and Thomas Harley have taken increased roles on the power play, their PK minutes have decreased.
But new faces have joined the unit and excelled, including Ilya Lyubushkin, Cody Ceci, Lian Bichsel, Colin Blackwell, Sam Steel and Oskar Bäck. It’s a deep unit, especially among the penalty-killing forwards.
Lindell’s Leadership
And they’ve all been led by one of the best penalty killers in the game in Lindell, whose long underrated role didn’t go unnoticed Wednesday night.
“He’s such a nice guy off the ice,” DeBoer said. “He’s always smiling like a gentle giant, and then you go in the corner with him, and most of the time, he’s coming out with the puck. He’s got that quiet competitiveness.
“He’s one of those invaluable guys that doesn’t take you out of your seat with his skill or his speed, but is just quietly very effective in whatever situation you put him in. Those guys are the glue and the meat of the teams that win.”
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Conclusion
Esa Lindell’s performance in Game 3 against Colorado was a testament to his importance to the Stars’ roster. His blocked shot in overtime and overall play on the penalty kill unit have earned him recognition from his teammates and coaches. As the Stars continue their playoff run, Lindell’s contributions will be crucial to their success.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who is Esa Lindell?
A: Esa Lindell is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenseman who has played his entire 10-year NHL career with the Dallas Stars.
Q: What is the significance of Lindell’s blocked shot in Game 3?
A: Lindell’s blocked shot in overtime saved a goal and helped the Stars win the game 2-1 against Colorado. It was a crucial play that showcased his defensive skills and importance to the team’s penalty kill unit.
Q: How has the Stars’ penalty kill unit performed this season?
A: The Stars’ penalty kill unit has been one of the best in the league, finishing fourth in the league with a penalty kill percentage of 82%. They have also finished top 10 in the league in each of the last three years.
Q: Who are some of the new players that have joined the Stars’ penalty kill unit?
A: Some of the new players that have joined the Stars’ penalty kill unit include Ilya Lyubushkin, Cody Ceci, Lian Bichsel, Colin Blackwell, Sam Steel, and Oskar Bäck.
