One Simple Loss Has Dallas Stars Pinned Behind The 8-Ball

Over the last 31 days, the Dallas Stars have struggled, strived, and fought with every ounce of effort they had in the tank to try and make something happen with their subpar season. It is disappointing to think that after just one loss Monday night, all of the effort seems to have been wasted…

5-3 final. That is what circulated through the head of every Stars fan Monday night. A lot of things can be blamed for the loss. A few slips on defense, some missed opportunities on offense, or the biggest reason, being outdueled in the crease. Kari Lehtonen spent the last 22 minutes of the game on the bench after hoisting a .789 save percentage to start the night. Jhonas Enroth came in and stood tall, but it was not enough as the Stars could not find a way to crack Jonas Hiller at the other end. The team once again fought like hell trying to claw back and make up for their goaltending, but it was not enough. This team continues to fight, and at this point it looks like that will be the one thing that people remember about the 2014-2015 Dallas Stars. Not playoffs, but fight.

The Dallas Stars ended up with 100 chances on the net Monday night, but 36 shots only translated to 3 goals. The 32 shots blocked by the Flames were phenomenal and determined blocks, while the 32 shots wide or over top of the net just couldn’t find the right path. The opportunity presented itself, and the Stars left it out on the doorstep.

Not only that, but with losses coming from the Los Angeles Kings and Colorado Avalanche, a win would have really helped jumpstart the comeback even more. But face it, the Dallas Stars have yet to learn how to become clutch.

Next: Dallas Stars Fall to Calgary Flames, 5-3

The Dallas Stars now head into a three-day break, one that may as well be used to pack their bags for vacation at this point. Here is a new look at the standings as of Tuesday morning:

1. Minnesota Wild 76 GP 95 PTS

2. Winnipeg Jets 76 GP 90 PTS

3. Los Angeles Kings 76 GP 88 PTS

4. Dallas Stars 77 GP 84 PTS

5. San Jose Sharks 76 GP 83 PTS

6. Colorado Avalanche 76 GP 82 PTS

It’s time to face the facts and live with reality: the Stanley Cup Playoffs will not be returning to Dallas this season, barring an absolute miracle. Over the next three days, here is a look at the schedules for the teams in contention:

Minnesota: vs. New York Rangers (THU)

Winnipeg: vs. New York Rangers (TUE)

Los Angeles Kings: vs. Edmonton Oilers (THU)

San Jose Sharks: vs. Colorado Avalanche (WED), vs. Arizona Coyotes (FRI)

Colorado Avalanche: vs. San Jose Sharks (WED), vs. Anaheim Ducks (FRI)

With how red hot some of these teams have been, the Dallas Stars are stuck on life support at best at this point. There are plenty of games that you could point to that were the “deal-breaker” for the Stars. You could even go into the offseason hating the Calgary Flames for officially planting the Stars in the early offseason garden.

Here is a realistic look at what the Stars would need to happen in order to defy the odds and hop into the postseason:

Dallas Stars 5-0-0

Winnipeg Jets 2-4-0

Los Angeles Kings 3-3-0

San Jose Sharks 5-1-0

Colorado Avalanche 6-0-0

Not only that, but they would need for Calgary to maintain the third spot in the Pacific and keep Los Angeles down in the wild card race.

It is no longer a reliable dream, but now nothing more than a fathomable memory. Sure, it is still possible. Likely? That bird hopped out of the nest a long time ago. If these Dallas Stars are going to nab a postseason appearance this season, they have to find a way to be clutch and win games that matter. These last 12 days may not be pretty, and many Stars fans may want to shut their eyes. The offseason awaits with open arms, while the Stars continue to chase a dream on a getaway. It is going to be a sad offseason, but as always, we will continue to “hope” the Stars can pull out a miracle. So far, unsuccessful. They are down to their last match, and God only knows how they are going to spend it. A lot of help is needed, and it starts with red-hot Winnipeg on Tuesday night facing off with the Rangers. A win for WPG may as well print out the plane tickets, while a loss will leave lots of ground to cover with little time to do it.

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