Dallas Stars Unwrapping Tough Loss

On the top of the Dallas’ Stars wish list was a fast start against Calgary. Although they got exactly what they asked for, the outcome was disappointing. But they shouldn’t go looking for the gift receipt just yet.

So picture this.

Christmas morning finally rolls around, you’re huddled around the tree and wiping the sleep from your eyes and tearing into meticulously wrapped gifts with the utmost of excitement- only to open the box and get what you asked for.

Wait, what?

You read it right.

You get exactly what you asked for. Those new Nikes that had only been on your list for months, that new tech toy you’d had your eye on for so long. You open the box, and there the coveted thing lies in all its glory. You think you can even hear angels singing.

Except, there is a fatal flaw. The shoes are too big, or the iPad simply won’t turn on despite every desperate attempt to get it to hold a charge.

You get exactly what you’ve been wanting and asking for, but then again, you sort of don’t.

Been there?

Well, so have the Dallas Stars. After their hot start this season, the thing that’s been on everyone’s minds and wish lists has been the ability to come out strong and strike fast to hold some consistency.

And that’s exactly what the Stars got against the Calgary Flames, but, as is so often the case, there was indeed a fatal flaw: the strong start fell flat.

The Dallas Stars have already shown that they can close games when it comes down to the nitty gritty. Been there, done that, everything fit perfectly.

However, implementing that level of motivated and urgent play in the beginning of the game, before the Stars have fallen behind, has become the area of most concern for a team that has been aiming so high.

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It’s frustrating, to be sure. The Stars came back from behind to absolutely crush the Blue Jackets 5-1 despite a rocky start, but couldn’t find that same moxy when they scored first but fell to the Flames 3-1.

So, do we call this a plateau for the Stars and accept the fact that, no, this item did not come with a gift receipt and perhaps we can just wear thick socks with the too-big shoes and make do?

I, for one, think not. The fact that the Dallas Stars just keep coming back and refusing to lose consecutive games says that they haven’t lost that drive, and that they’re not sitting back getting accustomed to losing performances.

What it does mean is that the Stars are still growing. Simple, huh? It’s a lot more painful to watch it in action than it is to read it written out. But that’s what it comes down to.

Remember a time, tucked far away in yester year, when the Dallas Stars couldn’t hold a third period lead to save their lives? I’m not saying that hiccup is completely banished as a possibility, but the Stars are also turning into a team that can just as adequately swallow up their opponent’s third period lead and turn the tide of the game in their favor.

And that took time as well. So, instead of looking at it as a plateau- that the Stars started off so strong and have sort of started to coast- I’m thinking it’s more like all the pieces of the puzzle still coming together.

Sort of like opening one present on Christmas morning that makes no sense and is kind of useless until you open the next present, and suddenly it all comes together. Those of you with crafty and creative parents or significant others will know what I mean here.

Next: Dallas Stars Quotes After Disappointing 3-1 Loss vs. Flames

So no, it’s not quite time to start taking stock of all the Christmas returns yet. There’s a good enough chance that maybe, just like those slightly too big shoes, the Dallas Stars will grow into their place in the league. That westward leading, still proceeding, the Stars will make the most of their learning opportunities and continue to shine.

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