Dallas Stars: A Supporter’s Guide To Playoff Fandom
By Tom Dorsa
It’s time for the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but unlike last year, the Dallas Stars have no horse in the race. So, which team should Stars fans pull for?
On Saturday night, the Dallas Stars capped off an underwhelming 2016-17 regular season with a dramatic finale against the Colorado Avalanche. In front of a sold out American Airlines Center crowd, the Stars pulled out a shootout victory after John Klingberg‘s initial overtime winner was waved off.
It was a perfect ending to a season like this, and on fan appreciation night in Dallas, the supporters deserved this. However, they will have to find a different team to avidly back for the next two months, as the Stanley Cup Playoffs begin next week without the Stars competing.
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So, who’s it gonna be? Stars fans generally make the call based on systemic excitement generated by the team, a fan favorite in that town, or the former Stars filling up the roster. And with that, here is the table, make your decision, Stars fans…
PITTSBURGH PENGUINS
A swift team with a lot of up-and-down excitement; number one center Sidney Crosby is having his best season in a decade, where he leads the NHL in goals with 43.
Former Stars: defensemen Trevor Daley and Cameron Gaunce.
WASHINGTON CAPITALS
President’s Trophy winner for second consecutive year, and perhaps this is their best team ever; goal scoring legend Alex Ovechkin has his greatest shot at the Stanley Cup in his 12-year, 558-goal career.
Former Stars: defenseman Matt Niskanen.
COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS
Upstart underdog franchise that has never won a Stanley Cup Playoff series in their 16-year existence; various young, fun players; Cam Atkinson is having a career year; Frisco, Texas native Seth Jones mans the blueline for the Jackets.
Former Stars: winger Lauri Korpikoski.
NEW YORK RANGERS
Their leading scorer is 5’7″ and the only Norwegian player in the NHL, Mats Zuccarello; Henrik Lundqvist is a surefire Hall of Famer in the twilight of his illustrious career; tons of speed and skill.
Former Stars: none.
MONTREAL CANADIENS
Goaltender Carey Price is a god amongst men in the crease, and a tremendously entertaining goalie; a Canadian team hasn’t won the Stanley Cup since 1994 and the Habs have the horses.
Former Stars: forward Steve Ott, defenseman Jordie Benn.
OTTAWA SENATORS
Erik Karlsson is in a league of his own among NHL defenders, and also leads the Senators in scoring by ELEVEN points (71) over Mike Hoffman; Clarke MacArthur and Craig Anderson are a hell of a story; crisp passing and skill.
Former Stars: defenseman Jyrki Jokipakka.
BOSTON BRUINS
A plethora of small, extremely speedy stars like Brad Marchand, Torey Krug, and David Pastrnak; the potential end of Hall of Fame defenseman Zdeno Chara‘s astonishing career; Patrice Bergeron (no explanation needed); very competitive and scrappy altogether.
Former Stars: defenseman Joe Morrow (part of the Tyler Seguin trade).
TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS
Youth, youth, and more youth; literally three Calder Trophy winners in any other season (Auston Matthews, Mitchell Marner, William Nylander); just their second playoff appearance since 2004.
Former Stars: defenseman Stephane Robidas (on the long term injured reserve and will not play, but still our Robi).
CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS
Ultra competitive dynasty with perhaps their last great shot at a Cup; fun and skilled top-six forward lineup; stacked defense.
Former Stars: defenseman Johnny Oduya.
MINNESOTA WILD
Four of their top six scorers (Mikael Granlund, Nino Niederreiter, Charlie Coyle, Jason Zucker) under the age of 25; Devan Dubnyk is as good as any goalie in the league when he’s on his game; offensively-active D core.
Former Stars: none.
ST. LOUIS BLUES
Size and forechecking that will bring older hockey fans back to the 90s; the scariness of sniper Vladimir Tarasenko; captain Alex Pietrangelo is perhaps the most underappreciated defenseman in hockey.
Former Stars: none.
NASHVILLE PREDATORS
Loads of youthful talent up front; arguably the best defense in hockey led by Roman Josi and P.K. Subban; always a very tricky team come playoff time.
Former Stars: forwards James Neal, Mike Ribeiro, and Vernon Fiddler.
ANAHEIM DUCKS
Entertaining young American goalie in John Gibson; a still formidable and fun duo of Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf; the emergence of rising superstar Rickard Rakell.
Former Stars: forwards Patrick Eaves and Ryan Garbutt.
EDMONTON OILERS
Hart Trophy frontrunner and probable Art Ross winner Connor McDavid; the youth to back McDavid up from Leon Draisaitl, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Oscar Klefbom; the Oilers making their first Playoff appearance since winning the Western Conference in 2005-06.
Former Stars: defenseman Kris Russell.
SAN JOSE SHARKS
Potential Norris Trophy winner Brent Burns and his 29 goals (second-most by a defenseman since 1993); an excellent mix between size and speed; two aging superstars (Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau) giving it one last ride; former Allen Americans goalie Aaron Dell.
Former Stars: defensemen Brenden Dillon and David Schlemko.
Next: Stars Must Advance, Not Let 2016-17 Season Drag Them Down
CALGARY FLAMES
Absolutely nasty forward core led by Johnny Gaudreau, Mikael Backlund, and Sean Monahan; stout defense featuring Dougie Hamilton and Mark Giordano; envious transitional game with speed for weeks.
Former Stars: forward Alex Chiasson and head coach Glen Gulutzan.
No matter who you root for, the Dallas Stars will unfortunately sit this run out for the seventh out of nine years. However, with the off-season starting sooner, stay tuned to Blackout Dallas for news and notes to all of the potential changes around the Dallas locker room.