Dallas Stars: Breaking Down Their Central Division Schedule
By Josh Clark
The Dallas Stars did some big things in the Central Division last year. Does their schedule this year give them a shot at controlling the division for a second straight year?
2016 Central Division Champions. That is what one of the two new banners that will hang in the rafters of the American Airlines Center says. It definitely was not easy to secure the title.
Yet that’s exactly what the Dallas Stars did last season, and they are once again adding to their banner collection in the rafters above the ice. In addition to the Central Division champions banner, they also earned the Western Conference regular season champions banner for picking up the most points in the West.
But with the way the Central Division has turned out over the past three years since the divisional realignment, it is perfectly logical to say that the Central title is more impressive than the West title.
The Central is home to seven very dangerous teams and is considered the toughest division in the NHL. It has boasted five playoff teams (the max number allowed from any one division) every season since its origin in 2013. The Dallas Stars have been one of those five teams in two of the past three years. Maybe it has something to do with Jamie Benn being captain, considering he was named to the title in 2013? No, that can’t be it.
The Chicago Blackhawks, Minnesota Wild, and St. Louis Blues have all qualified for the postseason in each of the past three years. The Dallas Stars and Nashville Predators have qualified in two of three years. And finally, the Colorado Avalanche and Winnipeg Jets have made the playoff trip only once.
In other words, it’s a stacked division. Yet the Stars put it all out on the line last year and came out on top. It was an amazing accomplishment for Dallas, who went from 92 points to 109 points in a span of one season.
Now they are preparing to try and claim the title for a second straight year. Over the past week, Blackout Dallas has taken a look at each Central Division team (except St. Louis, but we’re getting there) and what they did this offseason that could make them a better or worse team next year.
We’ve probably talked about the Stars’ offseason moves over thirty times in various posts. So now that everyone has been examined (except St. Louis, of course), where do the Dallas Stars stand?
While we cannot pinpoint exactly where Dallas will land this season in the Central Division standings, we can take a look at their schedule against the Central and try to make an educated guess on how that will affect them. After all, the only way to win the Central is to succeed in the Central. In 2014-15, the Stars went 8-14-7 in the division. This past season, they turned in a 19-7-3 record.
Here is a look at what Central threats await the Stars in their schedule this upcoming season:
Chicago Blackhawks
Saturday, November 5: vs. Chicago (first night of back-to-back)
Sunday, November 6: @ Chicago (second night of back-to-back)
Sunday, December 11: @ Chicago (second night of back-to-back)
Saturday, February 4: vs. Chicago (no games surrounding)
Thursday, March 23: @ Chicago (first night of back-to-back)
Colorado Avalanche
Saturday, October 15: @ Colorado (no games surrounding)
Thursday, November 17: vs. Colorado (no games surrounding)
Saturday, December 3: @ Colorado (no games surrounding)
Thursday, December 29: vs. Colorado (no games surrounding)
Saturday, April 8: vs. Colorado (no games surrounding)
Minnesota Wild
Saturday, October 29: @ Minnesota (no games surrounding)
Monday, November 21: vs. Minnesota (no games surrounding)
Saturday, January 14: vs. Minnesota (no games surrounding)
Tuesday, January 24: vs. Minnesota (no games surrounding)
Thursday, February 16: @ Minnesota (no games surrounding)
Nashville Predators
Tuesday, October 18: @ Nashville (no games surrounding)
Wednesday, November 23: @ Nashville (no games surrounding)
Thursday, December 8: vs. Nashville (no games surrounding)
Sunday, February 12: @ Nashville (second night of a back-to-back)
Thursday, April 6: vs. Nashville (no games surrounding)
St. Louis Blues
Thursday, November 3: vs. St. Louis (no games surrounding)
Monday, November 28: @ St. Louis (first night of back-to-back)
Tuesday, December 20: vs. St. Louis (no games surrounding)
Saturday, January 7: @ St. Louis (no games surrounding)
must read: Taking A Look At The Stars' Central Division Enemies
Winnipeg Jets
Tuesday, October 25: vs. Winnipeg (no games surrounding)
Thursday, October 27: @ Winnipeg (no games surrounding)
Tuesday, November 8: @ Winnipeg (no games surrounding)
Thursday, February 2: vs. Winnipeg (no games surrounding)
Tuesday, February 14: @ Winnipeg (no games surrounding)
So there you have it. Why does it always seem that the Stars play the Blackhawks while on a back-to-back? It’s so strange.
Also, St. Louis will be the only Central team that Dallas plays four times instead of five this season. Dallas has the 3-2 home ice advantage with Colorado and Minnesota. They have the 2-3 disadvantage with Chicago, Nashville, and Winnipeg.
Next: Stars Tore Up The Central Division In 2015-16
How do you think Dallas will fare in the Central Division this season? Do you think they will hit 15 or even 20 wins? Or is it going to be a year of floating around the bottom of the division? Let us know in the comments!