Dallas Stars Might Have Found Just What They Needed
By Josh Clark
The Dallas Stars made headlines yesterday when they snapped the Philadelphia Flyers’ win streak. Could that achievement finally serve as the surge that Dallas has been looking for all season?
Going into Saturday afternoon, a lot of things had happened since the Philadelphia Flyers began their ten-game winning streak. Over 1,728,000 seconds had passed, the Dallas Cowboys somehow lost just their second game of the year, people started putting up their Christmas trees, and 23 total days had been struck off the countdown to Christmas following Thanksgiving.
But then, all of a sudden, it stopped. The Flyers carried their win streak into Dallas, but it didn’t make it out alive. Yes, I’m implying that the Dallas Stars were the ones to ruin their streak.
But who? But what? But how? There were definitely a number of questions surrounding the upset.
The Flyers came into the AAC with a record of 19-11-3 and 41 points. They were the hottest team in the NHL and had already beaten the Stars once during their ten-game dominance streak.
Now it’s all gone. Somehow the Dallas Stars pulled off what nine NHL teams proved they could not do: neutralize the juggernauts.
Behind yet another brilliant performance from Antti Niemi in the crease mixed with a shutdown effort on defense and a depth-filled day of scoring from the offense, the Stars pulled off a 3-1 victory.
The only problem is that the Stars’ victory was not imminent from the get-go. In fact, at the first intermission, it looked as though the Stars were going to get a similar result as they did Thursday night: a solid effort shut down by a strong goaltender. Dallas was trailing the Flyers 1-0 after 20 minutes.
The Flyers were 9-1-2 when scoring the first goal. The Stars were 1-9-4 when allowing the first goal.
Then as the second period started up, something happened. And what happened then? Well, in Dallas they say that Jason Spezza‘s leadership grew three sizes that day. Spezza, a player who had not fought since 2009, dropped the gloves with Brandon Manning and gave him all he could handle in a 10-second wrestling match.
It was very unexpected, but definitely needed. From that point on, it was all Dallas Stars. Radek Faksa scored on a rebound opportunity a few minutes after the fight to tie things up. Early in the third period, Adam Cracknell found the back of the net on another rebound chance to take the 2-1 lead. Niemi stood tall for the remainder of the game, including a big penalty kill, and Jordie Benn notched an empty netter to settle on the 3-1 win.
What the Stars did well was capitalize on the mistakes they made in their first contest with the Flyers a week ago. They stayed out of the penalty box, started Antti Niemi who has an exceptional track record against the Flyers, and used more than one line to score goals.
So what does this win mean? Is it just another tally in the win column as the Dallas Stars (13-14-6) continue their hunt for a win streak?
Actually, it could mean a lot more than just two more points in the standings. The Stars were given a firsthand look yesterday at what it takes to beat a red-hot team. Not only that, but they realized that they have what it takes. If they can beat a team that was beating everyone, what is going to keep them from beating any opponent?
This win could very well jolt the Stars into gear. I know that you’re probably sick of reading about how one of the 13 Stars’ wins this season “signals a turning point,” only to be disappointed in the game following where they go flat.
But this one could prove to be different. This can be the ultimate motivation. The Dallas Stars just dethroned the hottest team in the league. So what’s next?
The Stars have two more games remaining in this critical homestand, and they have snagged four of a possible six points so far. Their next contest is against a division rival, the St. Louis Blues. The Stars are 1-0-1 against the Blues this year and have performed remarkably well. They crushed the Blues 6-2 in early November and lost in overtime in late November.
Even in the late November matchup when the Stars were heavily outplayed, they capitalized on their chances and carried the game into the extra frame.
Following that, they welcome the Los Angeles Kings who are still without starting goaltender Jonathan Quick.
Next: Stars' Snap Flyers Streak With Gritty 3-1 Win
These are two more chances at points against very capable teams and Dallas will need to be prepared for an assault. They will need to bring the swagger that they used Saturday. Their best players will need to be their best players, they will need their special teams to pick up the pace, the defense must remain consistent, and Antti Niemi will need to continue his reign over the AAC crease.
Will the Stars get it done? Well, that’s up to them. But if they can deny the undeniable, they can do anything, right?