Dallas Stars Aim To Continue Success Against New York Area
By Josh Clark
The 2016 year is off and running, and the Dallas Stars will look to build upon their hot start to the season. Their next chance at victory comes against teams that they are used to beating: the New Jersey Devils and the New York Rangers and Islanders.
With the Winter Classic finishing up yesterday afternoon, it’s time for the NHL to stop it’s break and get back to work. One of the teams quickly back on the job is the Dallas Stars.
After a luxurious and somewhat unbelievable beginning to the 2015-2016 season, the Dallas Stars are atop the NHL standings. Their offense continues to be the best in the league, their defense has seen an incredible step up from its former standing, and the goaltending has become one of the best duos in the NHL. The Stars are 28-8-3 with 59 points and not one team standing in front of them. Basically, things are good.
The Stars hit the road for a three-game road trip to kick off the 2016 portion of the season, and it definitely will not be easy on them.
We’re going to play three games in four days and six games in nine nights,” Dallas Stars head coach Lindy Ruff said. “What I liked most was that the ice times tonight [game against Nashville] were pretty balanced. We’re just trying to save energy and take it one game at a time.”
The Stars will face off with the New Jersey Devils on Saturday night, the New York Islanders on Sunday afternoon, and finish the trip with the New York Rangers on Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden.
Jason Spezza talked after the win against Nashville on New Year’s Eve about the possibility of the games being a struggle because of how close they are to each other. He mentioned that they had already been playing a lot of games in a short period and how this road trip would truly test them.
“The Rangers have been struggling, now they’re starting to play better. The Islanders have been really good, the Devils have been really good. It’s a tough trip and we’re just going to take it one game at a time.”
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But the Stars will be looking for consistency as they always have this season, and it may be easier to find it than people think.
This infamous “New York” trip is usually made once a season when the Stars visit at least two of these three teams while on the road. This time, the Stars have the opportunity to walk out of all three buildings with wins.
Last season, the Stars faced off with the Devils and Islanders in the road trip they took in early October. They visited the Rangers later on in the season. But in most games, the Stars found success. The Dallas Stars went 5-1-0 against these three opponents combined last season. They seem to know how to handle these three teams, but they’ve never faced off when all three are succeeding like they currently are.
Next: 2015: The Year The Dallas Stars Changed For The Better
It’s going to be an interesting showdown, and the Dallas Stars will hope that they can carry their 2015 magic into the New Year. Puck drop is at 6:00 tonight from New Jersey. Make sure to tune in.