Dallas Stars Return Home, Can Leave Wild In Dust
The Dallas Stars return home to the AAC with a 3-1 series lead in hopes of routing the Wild in game five and putting round one of the playoffs in their rearview mirror.
After two explosive home wins, a road loss, and a road win, the Stars have the upper hand in their first round against the Minnesota Wild. As the first team to win a road game, the Stars have created some great momentum that should be easy to perpetuate on home ice.
The potential last first puck drop in round one is scheduled for 8:30 pm from the AAC. If you have access to NBCSN or FSSW, you can park yourself in front of the TV, or you can catch the broadcast action from 1310 AM/ 96.7 FM The Ticket. Either way, you’re not going to want to miss a moment of this one.
Thoughts and Observations
Crunch time
The Dallas Stars have put forth a great effort so far in this round. Their domination on home ice was expected yet impressive, and they made a quick study of their road loss in order to turn it around in game four. While game four was a slightly disconcerting time for Stars fans, a road loss was also somewhat expected and the Stars’ ability to learn from their mistakes and rebound was everything we could have asked for.
However, we can also expect the Wild to put up their biggest fight yet in game five. Minnesota has shown that they have the ability to test the Stars’ defense and pester them in all the worst ways, and facing possible playoff elimination will only light a fire under those attempts.
Keys to success
To keep their home ice advantage and put this round away for good, the Stars simply need to not forget the process that put them here. The advantage to playing the same team multiple times is that the Stars have had opportunities to study and learn the Wild, and the Stars have done this effectively, especially in game four in their road win.
It’s essential for Dallas to find that ever-elusive balance between playing with heart and playing with brains; they have to make smart choices and be mentally engaged, but not so much that they overthink it and let the Wild intimidate them.
Keep on juggling
Lindy Ruff, true to form, switched up the Stars’ lines in game four, yet again proving the versatility and depth that has developed in this team this season. The ability to switch things up for a fresh outcome without having to worry about whether or not the new lines will click is essential; it speaks to core strength of the team and the reliance on each individual as an integral part of the machine. Since the Wild are expected to bring their fiercest effort yet, Ruff may do more juggling of the lines to keep Minnesota on their toes and prevent them from learning what to expect in each shift.
More stars: Dallas Stars' Lineup Changes Not Shifting Momentum
Two-headed monster
Dallas’s tandem goalie situation really sets them apart from many teams this season in playoffs. Both Lehtonen and Niemi have proven to be dependable choices in this round, and both have contributed to the success of the Stars.
I could easily see Niemi starting in net again tonight, simply because of the composure he maintained in game four, and also to give Lehtonen a bit more of a break. Conversely, Lehtonen had a stellar performance on home ice at the beginning of the round, so we could also see Ruff looking to replicate that successful set up. Either way, it’s clear that for the Dallas Stars, two heads are better than one.
Injury Report
The Dallas Stars have cleared the injury bench all except for Tyler Seguin, who is still day to day following his Achilles tendon injury. Thankfully, the Stars have been looking pretty sharp without him, but will be thankful to have him back perhaps in round two.
The Minnesota Wild are still without Thomas Vanek (upper body), who is a bit closer to returning than Zach Parise (upper body).
Projected Lines
Dallas Stars
Jamie Benn –Cody Eakin –Patrick Sharp
Mattias Janmark –Jason Spezza –Valeri Nichushkin
Antoine Roussel –Radek Faksa –Ales Hemsky
Colton Sceviour –Vernon Fiddler –Patrick Eaves
Alex Goligoski –John Klingberg
Minnesota Wild
Mikael Granlund –Mikko Koivu –David Jones
Jason Zucker –Charlie Coyle –Justin Fontaine
Nino Niederreiter –Erik Haula –Jason Pominville
Chris Porter –Zac Dalpe –Kurtis Gabriel
Next: Dallas Stars Give First Class Comeback In Game Four
Predictions
The Dallas Stars will rally in front of an enthusiastic home crowd and, despite desperate efforts from the Wild, the Stars will come out on top 4-2 to eliminate Minnesota and move on to round two for the first time since 2008.