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Dallas Stars’ Special Teams Issues are Concerning

By Allison Scott

Oct 15, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Dallas Stars left wing Lauri Korpikoski (38) falls over goalie Antti Niemi (31) as Colorado Avalanche center Joe Colborne (8) scores a goal in the first period at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 15, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Dallas Stars left wing Lauri Korpikoski (38) falls over goalie Antti Niemi (31) as Colorado Avalanche center Joe Colborne (8) scores a goal in the first period at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Dallas Stars have won 66 percent of their games this season, including one against a Central Division opponent. Though things are going pretty well, their special teams could use some work.

The Dallas Stars opened their 2016-17 campaign with a win at home over the Anaheim Ducks, 4-2. Two days later, though, they fell to the Colorado Avalanche 6-5.

While the games were entirely different in their style and end result, one thing remained the same: their special teams struggled.

Last night, they defeated the Nashville Predators 2-1 in regulation, but still had some issues on the penalty kill. Overall the first three games of the season have had interesting ups and downs and special teams have largely determined the outcome.

Versus Anaheim

Although the Stars didn’t surrender any power play goals against in the opening game of the year, they had a number of close calls while on special teams.

Oddly enough, Dallas gave up more chances against when they had the man advantage than when they had a player in the box. The entire game featured Anaheim players getting breakaways and odd-man rushes, which forced Antti Niemi to have to stand up and cover the mistakes.

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The power play didn’t score versus the Ducks either, which isn’t that big of a deal. However, when you look at the Stars’ line-up, their lack of ability to generate anything on four opportunities is strange.

Overall the Dallas Stars’ special teams weren’t at their best to start the season, but they came out with two points so it wasn’t that big of a loss.

Versus Colorado

Saturday night, however, the Stars visited the Avalanche in Denver. They not only surrendered two power play goals to Colorado on three opportunities, but gave up a two-goal lead to lose by one in the end.

The power play converted on half of their four chances, but still, to have a multiple goal lead and then stop playing is a concern.

Part of the problem might be that regular penalty killer Cody Eakin is absent from the line-up due to injury. His speed and skill, coupled with his ability to clear the puck down the ice at least a few times each kill is valuable. Not having him in the line-up because of injury is certainly hurting the Stars, but they have to find a way to power through with the healthy players they have.

Versus Nashville

Last night Dallas went 0-for-2 on the man advantage and the only goal they surrendered was on a Predators power play. As it stands the Stars’ penalty kill is struggling and it hasn’t made many strides to improve.

While it’s still early in the season, Dallas wants to eliminate issues concerning special teams now in order to better prepare themselves for the rest of the year.

It’s certainly not something they want to regret later on when they’re on the road for the postseason because of a few points that could have been earned if the penalty kill did their job.

Moving Forward

The Dallas Stars have to find a way to improve their special teams and do it quickly. There’s no time like the present to be picking up points and losing games by one after surrendering goals on two of three penalties is a tough pill to swallow.

Dallas can, however, only look forward and hope that their hard work will pay off.

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