Dallas Stars Aren’t What We Expected, But That’s Okay
It’s been a crazy 2016-17 season so far, especially for the Dallas Stars. They may not be exactly what we expected, but they’re still putting in the necessary work.
The Dallas Stars have not been who fans and analysts expected they’d be thus far into the 2016-17 season. Their offense hasn’t been dominating and goaltending is really what’s held them together.
The differences between what was expected from them and what they actually are, at least at this point in time, are interesting and not necessarily all bad.
Injuries
It’s hard to talk about the Dallas Stars’ start to the year without mentioning the absurd number of injuries they have experienced. It’s only been just over two weeks since opening night and the Stars have continued to fall further and further down the hole of injury.
Obviously, it’s concerning that Dallas’ forwards can’t seem to buy health right now. More impressively, though, has been the ability of young players to step up. They haven’t been perfect, but who is when they enter the fast-paced league that is the NHL.
Devin Shore has made his name known in his short career thus far and that’s purely because he’s put up points for Dallas. He has yet to fall out of the top ten in rookie scoring and is making a case for why the Stars put his name on the roster this early in the year. Those contributions make No. 17 a valuable player to the organization, especially with all the regulars sidelined from injury.
Goaltending
Last season Kari Lehtonen and Antti Niemi combined for a dynamic goaltending duo in Dallas. They were essentially a how to guide for having two starter-worthy netminders. Together they earned the Stars a Central Division Title.
That title, however, lost some of its excitement when Dallas fell to the St. Louis Blues in the second round of the playoffs.
More from Editorials
- Dallas Stars hockey is about to be the main attraction in Dallas this year
- Age Before Beauty: The impact of Benn’s new role on his Dallas legacy
- Dallas Stars hockey is the light at the end of the tunnel
- Dallas Stars coverage is lacking and it’s very concerning to be honest
- Sit back, relax and watch Jim Nill and the Dallas Stars draft scouts cook
Their elimination prompted questions and concerns to spark focused on Dallas’ crease. It was uncertain of whether they could continue to stick with the goaltending tandem of last season or if one of the Finnish natives would break out as the designated starter. After a long offseason filled with rumors surrounding their goaltending situation, the Stars stuck with their duo and it has been working out.
Lehtonen and Niemi have both made some incredible stops this regular season and we’re less than a month in. They have faced a lot of adversity when it comes to injuries, too, because goaltending mistakes are incredibly more noticeable. When key defensive forwards, like Cody Eakin, are out of the line-up it takes a turn on the goaltender’s game as well.
Still, the two men in the blue paint have been able to hold down the fort for the Stars and overcome a lot of defensive mishaps. A lot.
That’s a testament to their strength, both mental and physical, which is undoubtedly a strength for Dallas moving forward.
Final Thoughts
The Stars haven’t been at the offensive forefront of the NHL to start the 2016-17 season and it’s turned out to be okay. They aren’t falling behind and have already been able to overcome adversity in the form of injuries at the forward position.
When the fallen Stars are healthy again Dallas will most likely return to their old ways. They will be finding the back of the net more consistently because they’ll have two first lines once again. Until then, though, it’s comforting to know that Dallas is able to manage without. They are able to remold their game to fit their current situation and find relative success.
That’s a new frame of reference for the Dallas Stars that anyone could get behind.