Dallas Stars’ Preseason Play Won’t Determine Regular Season Outcome
The 2017 preseason is underway in the NHL and the Dallas Stars are off to the races. While it might seem like the preseason would indicate how the regular season will go, it’s proven time and time again to not be the case.
Although the Dallas Stars are hoping to have a successful preseason – which is already underway – there’s not necessarily a correlation between their performance now and what they’ll do once the regular season is underway.
How it does
Obviously, the preseason helps the Stars set their roster for the upcoming year. That’s the biggest component of the games prior to puck drop in mid-October, and it will continue to have an impact long into the regular season.
Poor decisions up front from regular season and training camp play can cause downward spirals for teams – especially as it concerns their younger players.
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The preseason also helps coaches and players to figure out chemistry on the ice. While they’re not playing with the same roster every night, there’s an air of understanding that a combination is right that sometimes can’t be overlooked.
Plus, figuring out defensive pairings, special teams nominations and forward lines early certainly alleviates some of the stress come the start of the new season.
How it doesn’t
That, however, isn’t to say that everything can be gauged from the preseason, though. Opponents are testing the water with their young prospects and professional tryout players, too. Meaning the Stars aren’t getting the grade-A talent from the other team, which can make determining which direction to go with certain players difficult.
Games are also not coached, played, strategized or refereed like they are in the regular season. Everyone is trying out new techniques and testing the water in the preseason – that’s exactly why it doesn’t technically count for anything – but it poses its fair share of issues.
Ultimately, teams are making their best guesses in the games leading up to opening night. They’re trying to bet on which players will make the team the best it can be. They’re trying to determine how to best approach special teams, goaltending, defense and offense all before the points really matter in October.
Next: A look at the Dallas Stars' current roster
It isn’t any easy feat by any means, but if the Stars end the preseason with a less-than-impressive record, don’t fret. Honestly, anything could happen.