Fansided

Dallas Stars Surprisingly Still In Central Division Dogfight

By Josh Clark |
Dec 22, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Stars left wing Antoine Roussel (21) and Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson (4) exchange shoves during the second period at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 22, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Stars left wing Antoine Roussel (21) and Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson (4) exchange shoves during the second period at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The Central Division is just as tight this year as it is every year. The only difference this year is that the Dallas Stars are currently at the top. But even though they hold the lead, the race is much closer than they want it to be.

On October 7, 2015, the NHL officially kicked off another regular season campaign.

With it came many reserved hopes and fears for the fans of each and every team. Would their team be able to break out of the early-offseason slump and return to the postseason? Or after a very successful regular season campaign the year before but an offseason that included parting ways with some big players, would they still be able to succeed?

The Dallas Stars were one of these teams, and their fate for 2015-2016 hung in the balance. Their 2014-2015 regular season had been one filled with despair, and they were desperately seeking to avenge their poor performance in the new season. They had once again succeeded in bringing in prime talent during the summer, including Patrick Sharp, Antti Niemi, and Johnny Oduya. They seemed destined for glory.

And it turns out that they were and currently are still in the glorified status. The Stars came bursting out of the gate and have yet to look back. Unlike their short-term success story in the early parts of 2014, they extended this impressive run all the way until December. The Stars did not lose back-to-back games until January 3rd when they dropped their second straight game to the New York Islanders.

That factors in as quite a large advantage for the Stars. After their early season success and almost undeniable presence, the Stars sit in first place throughout the Central Division and, to take it one step further, the Western Conference as a whole.

At one point last month, the Stars led the entire NHL in points. But after slightly taking their foot off the gas, the Washington Capitals jumped at the opportunity and overtook the spot. They now sit in first by a considerable margin, with the Stars sitting five points back in second.

The Dallas Stars boast a record of 29-11-4 with 62 points. They are currently on a five-day break after playing nine games in a span of 15 days. The consistent play clearly showed signs of exhaustion in the Stars scheme, as they went 3-4-2 throughout the span. The break will hopefully give them a chance to recharge their energy and get back at it in their next adventure, which happens to be a three-game road swing to California.

But the Stars are in control of first place in the West and their division, so everything is good, right? Well, maybe not. The Stars are being preyed upon by several suitors both in and out of their division and need to keep a sharp eye out.

Since the realignment in 2013, the Western Conference has become the most difficult conference in the NHL, while the Central Division has easily earned the title of most difficult. Over the past two years, the maximum number of Central teams that can make the playoffs have. Even then, the sixth and seventh place teams were just narrowly left out.

It’s a difficult scenario to be put in, but the Stars have learned to hold their own through the tough times. Right now, here are a look at the updated standings in the Central Division alone:

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1. Dallas Stars 44 GP 62 PTS

2. Chicago Blackhawks 44 GP 58 PTS

3. St. Louis Blues 45 GP 55 PTS

4. Minnesota Wild 42 GP 52 PTS

5. Nashville Predators 42 GP 45 PTS

6. Colorado Avalanche 43 GP 45 PTS

7. Winnipeg Jets 42 GP 41 PTS

The top four currently hold playoff positions, and the Predators and Avalanche are tied for the final spot. The race is not an easy one, and the Dallas Stars are learning that firsthand.

The Blackhawks, who gave the Stars two of their ten best players this past offseason, seem to be just as well off without Sharp and Oduya. They have a chance to take the Central Division lead away from the Stars for the first time in who knows how long. The Stars have run the division since late October, but even their dominance could potentially be outmatched.

Next: Dallas Stars Get Huge Gameday Break This Week

That’s why this break could truly be a blessing. The Stars need to be on their A-game when the time rolls around to return to action if they want to retain their bragging rights and hoist a shiny new “Central Division Champions” banner into their rafters come April. It’s a tough league, but the Stars are holding their own. All we can do is hope that strength and determination holds true.

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