Dallas Stars: These Guys Are Different

The Dallas Stars looked to be in trouble as they let the Western Conference-worst Anaheim Ducks get out to a three-goal lead in the first frame Tuesday night. To put that in perspective the Ducks had only scored six goals in their first eight games of the season prior to visiting Dallas. Definitely not the start the Stars wanted.

But then things turned around. The Dallas Stars came out in the last forty minutes to overcome a three-goal deficit and win in regulation for the first time since 2006. That just plain wouldn’t have happened and clearly didn’t happen in previous seasons, but this year it was possible because these Stars are different in three undeniably influential categories.

Leadership

Jamie Benn is in his third season as Dallas Stars captain and he’s grown into a great leader for the team. His confidence and overall skill in the game has developed immensely and for that reason he makes the Stars that much better.

Jamie Benn celebrates after scoring a goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins on opening night in Dallas. The Stars went on to win 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Last season he won the Art Ross Trophy for leading the NHL in points and he’s definitely on the track to repeat, or at least come close, based on his play through the first nine games for Dallas. Number 14’s ability to lead by example shows the rest of the guys in the room exactly how determined they need to be to win.

As Jamie Benn enters his prime, the Dallas Stars are a force to be reckoned with him as their leader.

Offensive Output

Scoring can’t just be one player, though. That’s something that the Stars have learned the hard way over the last couple of years. Yes, it’s helpful for players to have individual offense skills, but it isn’t everything.

In the game on Tuesday night for example Dallas saw offseason acquisition Patrick Sharp net his first goal as a Star, while Jamie Benn added three assists, and John Klingberg scored a goal to extend his point streak to five games. Cody Eakin tallied a goal short handed to further exemplify the diversity in scoring.

That goes to prove that the Stars aren’t just Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin. They’ve got four lines that can contribute to multiple facets of the game night in and night out, something they couldn’t have said in years past.

Mental Strength

It often gets lost in translation that hockey is more than just putting pucks in the net. The mental side is just as if not more grueling during the six month, 82-game regular season. Dallas has, in the past, fallen victim to the demanding mental side of the game, but if Tuesday night’s victory is any indication they’re moving past that.

It’s difficult enough to win hockey games with a lead in this league, making coming from behind an even more challenging task. The Stars didn’t quit mentally or physically from the game and that goes to show just how tough they are.

While it’s still the beginning stages of the 2015-2016 season, Dallas’ ability to focus in on what needs to be done makes their future seem even brighter than possibly ever before.

What do you think makes the 2015-2016 Dallas Stars different than in seasons past? Leave your thoughts in the comments below and, as always, thanks for reading!

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