Dallas Stars: What To Do During These Dreadful Off Days
The Dallas Stars are in the midst of a long and relaxing five day break. While it is a good scenario for them to be in, Stars fans may be experiencing some lonesome feelings. Here is something to help you cope with your uncertainties.
Today is just a typical, regular Tuesday morning in Dallas, Texas. People have started going back to work, school, or wherever they invest the majority of their time at. But something is off. No matter how big or small it may be for different people, something is clearly absent. That missing link is Dallas Stars hockey.
For the first time this season, the Dallas Stars do not have a scheduled game on a Tuesday night. Crazy, right? It is all due to the schedule generator that seemed so unkind to the Stars when it forced them to play nine games in the 15-day span of December 26 – January 9. It has now rewarded them with a five-day break that is clearly well-needed by the Stars team as a whole.
Their play has seemed off course since the turn of the year. They lost their first game of 2016 in overtime to the New Jersey Devils on January 2, and have gone 1-3-1 since the new year began. Their offense has lacked intensity, their defense has lacked consistency, and their goaltending has lost its edge.
That is why this five-day vacation could do wonders for them. It is the perfect chance for them to recharge their batteries and remind themselves of how tight the NHL actually is.
But of course they do not need to get too relaxed, considering they are diving right back into multiple games in little time come Friday. The Stars hit the road on Thursday to setup in California for a three-game road trip starting with the Anaheim Ducks on Friday night. They will also visit the San Jose Sharks and Los Angeles Kings. With all three being old Pacific Division opponents, some bitter backstories come with each matchup.
While this free time is good for the Dallas Stars, what are their loyal fans supposed to do? No live hockey is a vile and sour punishment to give a fan base that has been enjoying some top-notch hockey for the past three months.
There are some things that you can do to help cope with the absence of Stars in your life, though. Here is a quick list of things that could keep even the quietest of Stars fans entertained for hours on end.
1. Play NHL 16
Whether you’re eight or 80, video games are always an enjoyable time. What better way to enjoy the beauty of electronic gaming systems than by playing the most accurate and lifelike NHL game ever? Plus, they made the Dallas Stars a much better team in all areas, focusing especially on physicality. So go control Antoine Roussel and staple someone to the boards. It almost guarantees that you’ll also get into a fight, which is awesome.
2. Watch other teams
What an awful thing to say. But when so many races for position are so tight, why would you not want to follow? The Stars and their standing factor a lot into these games. Looking at tonight’s games alone, just about every one of the eight games includes a team either barely in or out of the playoff picture that could all change with a loss or win. Keep an eye out on plenty of teams.
Also, don’t forget that the Chicago Blackhawks are narrowly trailing the Stars. It’s tough to tell if they will ever slow down like Dallas has, but the Stars will need to shift back into gear rather quickly if they are looking to continue their dominance over the Central Division.
3. Take a walk
Go enjoy nature. We’ve spent enough time burrowed away in our living rooms or dorm rooms anxiously watching every other night or so to see how the Stars fare. There is a whole world outside of that one, though it may not seem like it. Go check it out. You may need to take a jacket.
4. Watch this video
It might make you cry, but trust me it is worth it. All you have to do is click on the link here. Hint: it involves Jamie Benn and a special trophy that no Dallas Star has ever won before besides him. Not to spoil it or anything.
5. Socialize with other Stars fans
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Social media is sometimes considered a drug, but some drugs (such as antibiotics) are helpful in your life. If you are really feeling the pressure, reach out on Twitter or Facebook and chat it up with some fellow Stars fans. If you don’t follow anyone or cannot find one like you, just throw out an absurd statement (such as “Jim Nill needs to trade John Klingberg right away”) and one will definitely find you.
You might have to fight off some brutal comments at first, but once you prove your allegiance and innocence, you should be fine.
6. Check out stars.nhl.com
DallasStars.com is always chockfull of good stuff and little tidbits. Go give it a look and see what you can find. Otherwise, your Tuesday may be a little boring.
But overall, just take a break. Though we have not been through as stressful times as some of us experienced last year so far in this year, they still could come up. So it’s a good idea to have some rest stored up. Plus, those three California games all involve 9:00 or 9:30 puck drops, so you’ll definitely be in for some long nights. It’s a good idea to save up some sleep in your back pocket now.
Next: Stars Still Feeling Pressure Of Leading Central Division
Enjoy your Tuesday, Dallas Stars fans.