Dallas Stars’ Postseason Predicted By Blackout Dallas
By Josh Clark
After a stellar regular season, the Dallas Stars are in for big things in the postseason.
What the Stars biggest strength is going into playoffs
The Dallas Stars proved their offensive abilities during the regular season, just as predicted. They were the highest scoring team in the league by 17 goals and that was a big contributing factor to their success. I anticipate their ability to score to follow them into the postseason as well and, thus, be their greatest strength.
What the Stars biggest weakness is going into playoffs
Previously the biggest concern for the Stars would’ve been their defense, but this year they’ve managed to find a way to incorporate the forwards into the defensive play and it’s improved. They still, however, struggle with playing consistently. Dallas likes to play against the powerhouses of the NHL, the Blackhawks, Capitals, etc., but they don’t show up as much for teams that sit significantly below them in the standings.
That’s how they went (0-2-0) in the regular season against the Toronto Maple Leafs who finished a staggering 27 points behind the Philadelphia Flyers for last place in the Eastern Conference. While the Wild are certainly a superior team to the Leafs, it’s concerning that the Stars might go into the series thinking they’re deserving of the upper hand.
Who will be the Stars’ best player in the playoffs
While the obvious answer would be Jamie Benn, who is coming in off of the best season of his career, I think Jason Spezza will be the best player in Victory Green this postseason. He’s been there before and he’s hungry for his first Stanley Cup. Spezza has also been on a tear since the middle of the season and has been Dallas’ most consistent scorer.
He’s not getting any younger and the ex-Ottawa Senators’ captain is on the hunt for a championship win before he retires.
Who will be the Stars’ worst player in the playoffs
Purely because of his tendency to play a brand of hockey that’s borderline legal, I’ll have to say Antoine Roussel will be the worst. Penalties in the playoffs can be game-changers and thus series-changers and I find that his reputation around the league could deter all of the good things no. 21 does for Dallas.
Which goaltender should start the games? Or should they switch off? What is the goaltending scenario they should use?
This is up in the air, especially with a coach as unpredictable as Lindy Ruff. I think they’ll end up doing what they did in the regular season, going back and forth between Lehtonen and Niemi, because it worked so well. The two combined for 50 wins and over 100 points, so I don’t see why Dallas wouldn’t keep up the same trend.
The Stars move past the first round if…
They play their game. Simple as it can be, they have to not be cocky about winning the Central Division and having won the Western Conference in the regular season. There are bigger things ahead and the Stars mustn’t focus on what happened last week when what happens this week could determine if they’re playing hockey or golf come May and June.
The Stars lose in the first round if…
Their best players aren’t the best. Jamie Benn, Tyler Seguin, Jason Spezza, John Klingberg and the goaltenders have to be on their game for Dallas. In the event that they aren’t, it’ll be significantly easier for the Stars to fall to the Wild.
Dallas was battling with the St. Louis Blues until the last game of the season for the division title and St. Louis won it last year. The Blues know all too well how dangerous the Wild are in the first round, regardless of positioning from the regular season.
How will the first round pan out for Dallas?
I think Dallas will come out of the first round in six games. The Wild are a good team. They play a successful game and they fought their way into the second wildcard spot to even play in mid-April, meaning they’re going to want to prove why they’re competing.
Dallas, however, has had more than a month to prepare for the postseason and they’re harboring disappointment from not making it just a year ago. The Stars know how special of a group they have and they are aware that not every team is as talented as they are right now. For that reason, they’ll take the Wild down in six games because they’ll drop two due to playoff inexperience and nerves.
How far will the Stars go in the playoffs this year?
The Stars will make it to the Stanley Cup Finals. I don’t see why they wouldn’t be able to put it all together, especially with the additions over the last few seasons. Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin are in their respective primes,
Dallas’ defense has stepped up and goaltending is a non-issue most nights. They have the physicality, the speed and the scoring to get it done and although my prediction is biased with hope, I see it being a very really possibility that the team in Victory Green plays for the Cup.
What would define a successful playoff run for this current Stars team?
A successful playoff run for the Stars would be a Stanley Cup Championship. Dallas expects to play a high standard of hockey and I think Jamie Benn perpetuates that attitude throughout the locker room. They won’t be happy unless they have a few more banners to add to the American Airlines Center come puck drop this fall.
Playoff predictions:
Stars over Wild in 6, Blues over Blackhawks in 7, Ducks over Predators in 5, Kings over Sharks in 4, Capitals over Flyers in 5, Penguins over Rangers in 6, Panthers over Islanders in 4, Red Wings over Lightning in 7
Stars over Blues in 7, Kings over Ducks in 6, Penguins over Capitals in 7, Red Wings over Panthers in 6
Stars over Kings in 6, Penguins over Red Wings in 5
Who will be in the Stanley Cup Finals? Who ends up taking the trophy?
I think the Dallas Stars will take on the Pittsburgh Penguins in the finals. The turn around that the Penguins saw and the return of Sidney Crosby being Sidney Crosby make them a team that’s got momentum in their favor.
They always have good match-ups against the Washington Capitals and I think if they can beat out the Caps, they can win the East. Obviously my hope would be the Stars would come out on top, but I think the Penguins would make it a tough series for Dallas.
Ultimately if it were the Penguins versus the Stars, I’d imagine Dallas’ superior scoring would find a way to win it.
Next: Micaela Hamid: And Down The Stretch Comes Dallas