Dallas Stars: Keys to Getting Out of Round 2 Alive
The Dallas Stars have done what they set out to do at the beginning of the season: they’ve made it out of the first round of the playoffs alive. Dallas eliminated the Minnesota Wild in six games and will take on the St. Louis Blues for Round 2.
While it won’t be easy to take down the second seed of the Central Division, it will be a true test for both sides. Dallas will have to depend on a few key factors if they hope to make a deep playoff run.
Offensive Production
The Stars are best known for their ability to put pucks in the net. They can plain and simply outscore their opponent and because of this, they’re never really out of games. While it’s a seriously concerning fact for the Blues to worry about, it’s advantageous for Dallas. That is, as long as they remain consistent.
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In the first round the Stars scored 17 goals from 11 different players. Not surprisingly both Jamie Benn and Jason Spezza led the offensive effort with 10 and 9 points respectively.
If the Stars can keep their scoring up and get it from a variety of lines, they’ll find it a much easier second round than if they’re dependent upon one or two guys.
Goaltending
Scoring matters very little when goaltenders aren’t on top of their game, though. The Stars managed to utilize both Kari Lehtonen and Antti Niemi in their first round victory, with No. 32 winning three games and No. 31 winning one.
They may or may not go with a similar set up against St. Louis, but it is most likely going to depend on how the first game goes. If the Stars find a way to win they’ll most likely keep whichever goaltender started in the game, but if they lose it’s more likely that they’d switch it up.
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Regardless of who is in the crease for puck drop on Round 2, it’s certain that goaltending will be possibly the biggest factor in the series against a team like the Blues who are involved in mostly low-scoring games.
Physicality
Another component of the Blues is their size. With the bulk of their line-up standing taller than six feet and weighing more than 200 pounds, it’s no wonder their style is focused on defense and physicality.
The Stars will have to continue to play their more fast-paced game to be successful, but being cognizant of St. Louis’ tendency to make hits to make plays is important.
Dallas will look mainly to freshman defenseman Stephen Johns, pesky forward Antoine Roussel and a handful of others in this department for the most part. Johns has delivered a few crowd-roaring hits in his short NHL career and it can be expected he’ll make at least a few in this series.
Roussel is always a physical player and his aggravating style will definitely come into play in this challenging series.
Series Expectations
I think this series will be one that will leave a number of bruises on members of both teams. I think it will be a test of Dallas’ defensive inexperience and St. Louis’ struggle to score. I think it will take at least six games for either team to come out on top because of the rather effectiveness of both teams.
The Stars and Blues are both in for a rough and tough battle, but fans are in for a great series that I think will determine the Stanley Cup Champions.
What are you looking forward to most in this series? Leave your thoughts in the comments and, as always, thanks for reading!