Dallas Stars Offense Flares Up, Handles Winnipeg 5-3

The Dallas Stars returned from the All-Star Break and put on quite the show in their first game back. Their offense flexed its muscles and the Stars strutted out of Winnipeg with a 5-3 win over the Jets.

The Dallas Stars definitely know how to mess with the emotions of their fans. In their first game back from the All-Star Break, the Stars switched back and forth between performing as an excellent team and a subpar team. But eventually the Stars made it out on top as they beat the Winnipeg Jets 5-3 on Tuesday night on the road.

Game recap

The Dallas Stars started this game out as much would expect them to: with plenty of rust. The only difference between tonight and last month was that they eventually found the WD-40 tonight.

After a week of no competition, the Stars and Jets both showed signs of lacking play in the first period. A couple of penalties were called on each team in the first, and the Jets capitalized with a power play goal from Andrew Ladd.

After the first 20 minutes, the Stars were clearly determined to win. They came out in the second and opened up a can of scoring, with Tyler Seguin, John Klingberg, and Vernon Fiddler all tallying goals. Adam Lowry scored an awkward one to make it a 3-2 game after 20. Some more penalties were called, but none turned into goals.

The shot chances remained relatively even throughout the remainder of the game, and Antti Niemi may have been the Stars best player in helping secure the win. Tyler Seguin scored a power play goal early in the third that was counteracted by a Dustin Byfuglien goal a few minutes later. But the Jets could not find a fourth goal and Antoine Roussel found an empty net for the Stars fifth tally as they won the game 5-3.

Thoughts and Observations

Can we see these Dallas Stars more often?

December 31, 2015 was the last time that Stars fans recall seeing the Dallas Stars team that they had grown accustomed to. The entire month of January was littered with regression and depression. The Stars could never seem to play a complete, three-sided game during the first month of 2016 and finished with an ugly record of 3-6-2 as a result.

It was a rough path to follow, but the cloudy skies could be disappearing. Let’s not jump to conclusions, but tonight’s Dallas Stars looked like the team we saw back in December that was capable of putting together a long and enjoyable playoff run. But, it was only one game and there are plenty left to be played. The Stars will need to reproduce tonight’s effort throughout the rest of the season if they are to last.

Central Division outlook

The Stars’ win tonight moved their record to 32-14-5 with 69 points, good enough for second place in the Central. Though they still trail the Chicago Blackhawks by three points, they have three games in hand that they will eventually be able to use to jump back in the driver seat.

But the Stars only have 31 games left in the season, and 15 are against Central opponents. If the Stars want to continue ascending the standings back to their former place of righteousness, they will need to focus on winning those games.

Antti Niemi coming up big

The Stars two-goalie tandem saw a decline in performance last month, as did their defensive and offensive play. They managed to stay afloat, primarily due to the efforts of Antti Niemi. The victory against Winnipeg marked Niemi’s fourth straight start, the longest streak of the season for either Stars goaltender. It’s pretty clear that without Niemi’s heroics, we’d have two less points and a different story right now.

More stars: February 2016 Schedule Could Make Or Break Stars

Niemi played exceptional in tonight’s game, stumping the Jets on many different grade-A opportunities. There was about a five-minute span in the second period where Niemi made three different unbelievable saves. Not to mention his bamboozling stop late in the third period on Mark Scheifele that left all of Winnipeg speechless. Hats off to you, Niemi.

And so the dance continues

The Stars had an excellent showing against Winnipeg, but they are nowhere near in the clear yet. It’s a long and rough road for the Stars the rest of the way, filled with plenty of opponents aiming to shut them down.

On Tuesday night, the Stars offense was once again on fire, the defense was once again its average self, and the goaltending was exquisite. That is the kind of performance they need the rest of the way out. The Stars started February out with a bang. Will it end that way?

Next: Stars Face Five Straight Divisional Games To Start Month

The Dallas Stars will now hit the skies and head to Colorado for a date with the Avalanche, a team they have not beaten in over two years. It will be interesting to see which team shows up. Make sure to check back to Blackout Dallas for coverage of the game.