Dallas Stars Road Trips In Past Month Have Not Been Pretty

The Dallas Stars played an impressive month of December and remain first place in the NHL. But oddly enough, they had one outright flaw: their play on the road.

Now that 2016 has started, it’s time to start hearing the incessant “New Year’s Resolutions” of your friends, family, coworkers, pets, and anyone else you may have relation to that enjoys talking. Prepare yourselves now, because it happens every year, and this year will be no different.

At least you have hockey to lean on, right? The Dallas Stars seem to be an out for every awkward or aggravating event in life. And with their recent play, how could you not love tuning in at every possible second?

The Dallas Stars currently stand on top of the heaping pile that is the NHL with 60 points. Their record of 28-8-4 has them just one measly point ahead of the Washington Capitals for the title of “best team in the league.” But when it’s all said and done, one measly point can be a major deciding factor. Just look at the 2014-2015 Art Ross Trophy race (had to get a jab in at the Islanders before the game today)!

So the Dallas Stars are sitting pretty at the moment. Do they have any flaws? Sure. But any big enough that an infamous New Year’s Resolution is necessary? Surprisingly, yes.

Last night, the Stars were in Newark, New Jersey taking on the New Jersey Devils in their first meeting of the season. It was the first game of 2016 for both clubs, and both were looking to start the year off right.

Each team had their high points and low points in the game, but as in all sporting events, only one could come out victorious. The Stars entered the third period with a 0-2 deficit staring them down, and they answered the bell. After a sluggish 40 minutes to open the game, the Stars scored two goals in the final ten minutes of the game and tied it up to send the game to extra time.

After a poorly-timed penalty and a feisty New Jersey power play, the Stars fell 3-2. They snagged one point, which eventually became the point that helped them stay atop the NHL.

But the loss contributed to a now unappealing record for the Dallas Stars that not many have noticed. The overtime loss demoted the Stars to a record of 28-8-4. Of those 12 games where the Stars did not escape with the full two points, eight of them have been on the road. Not only that, but six of those eight have come in the past month.

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The Stars record on the road since December 1st is 2-2-4. While this is not an overall poor record, it is a change to see the Stars, who seemed indestructible for the majority of this year, somewhat struggling with a certain area of play.

Overall, the Stars are 12-4-4 on the road, which is outstanding. They had one of the best records away from home last season, and it looks like they may be in store for another successful year in enemy territory. But the fact that six of the eight losses have come in the last month is something to keep an eye on. Maybe the Stars can make plans to turn it into their New Year’s Resolution. I mean, what else are they going to fix?

Also, if the Dallas Stars specifically plan to resolve this problem, chances are it will be fixed sooner rather than later. They’ve done so with every other kink this season, and this one should be no different. The Stars will finish out the final two games of their New York road trip today against the Islanders and Tuesday versus the Rangers before heading back home to the sweet confines of the AAC.

Next: Stars Shatter Schneider, But Nosedive Against Devils In OT

It’s an early puck drop today at 4:00 p.m. between the Stars and Islanders, so be forewarned. Make sure you’re planted and settled in your chair or on your couch in time! Check back here in a few hours for the preview.

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