Dallas Stars Shoot for Playoffs: Top 5 Reasons They Could Make the Cut
The biggest misconception you could make about this Dallas Stars club is that they have given up. If anything, that has proven not to be the case throughout the entire 2014-2015 season, even when winning seemed impossible, seven-game losing streak from late October to early November ring any bells?
Regardless of the hardships they’ve faced this season, of which there have been many, the Dallas Stars have found a way to still be mathematically relevant in early April. No, they don’t currently hold a position in the playoffs and no, they don’t have that many games left, but the Stars have proven they can go through a lot and come out on top.
Here are five reasons the Dallas Stars could miraculously be in the playoffs come April 15th:
#5: Risks
The Stars and their coaching staff have taken risks all season long and there is no reason they shouldn’t continue to do so in their five remaining games. Whether it be pulling the goalie earlier than normal to get back in a game, or going with five forwards on a power play, you can bet that the Stars will take the necessary risks to gain as many points as possible.
#4: Winnipeg Jets Losing Streak
The Jets, currently in sole possession of the final wildcard position with 90 points, have lost three of their last four and are one of the mainstays keeping Dallas in the race. If they continue to lose and Dallas can find a way to earn ten out of ten points in their next five games the season might not be over.
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#3: Kari Lehtonen
Although he’s faltered in the past week, Kari Lehtonen is an asset to the Stars. He has shown his ability to steal points and when he’s on his game nearly nothing gets past him. The only issue this season has been making sure he’s on his game for a full sixty minutes, but if he can find a way to steal a game or two for Dallas in the next week they’ll remain playoff hopefuls.
#2: Jamie Benn, Tyler Seguin, and the Return of Val Nichushkin
It’s difficult to find a duo in the NHL that is more talented than Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin and, like Lehtonen, when they play their best hockey they are both forces to be reckoned with. Benn has been an excellent leader for the Stars this season and Seguin has continued to perform despite not being 100% after his knee injury. Valeri Nichushkin has been held to four games this season due to corrective hip surgery last fall; however, his return could be just what the Stars need to push them in the right direction. With a few stellar performances from this young group of dynamic forwards the Stars can end the season on a high note.
#1: Resiliency
And the number-one reason the Dallas Stars have any chance at a wildcard spot is their failure to quit. Even when they’re down by a few goals the Stars find ways to stay in games, they actually have more problems coming out with two points when leading, go figure. You can bet that Dallas will play with guns blazing during their final five match-ups of the regular season and their ability to leave it all on the ice makes them a dark horse candidate for the playoffs.
While a post-season appearance is highly unlikely, the Dallas Stars will continue to fight until they are mathematically eliminated.
With this team anything is possible.
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