Dallas Stars Playing Better, But Have Some Fatal Flaws
The Dallas Stars seem to finally be figuring everything out. But even with their recent success, there are still some problems with their play that must be addressed.
The Dallas Stars have been looking more like themselves lately. They are not just throwing pucks away and can actually complete passes, which is great. However, their lack of execution in a few areas is proving costly.
Evaporating Leads
They say it is a race to three goals in the National Hockey League and the Stars generally have that down. Although this season has been different and Dallas has struggled to convert offensively at times, they still have one of the most highly skilled group of forwards out there.
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Offense means very little, however, when leads last for all of 20 seconds. The Stars surrendered a one-goal lead, followed by a two-goal lead and another one-goal lead in yesterday’s 5-4 overtime loss to the Vancouver Canucks. That does not even account for the tying goal in the third period that was disallowed for goaltender interference.
Dallas has high expectations of themselves, which they should, but they cannot come anywhere close to those if they do not maintain leads. Yesterday’s loss could be attributed to a long road trip or the early start, but the Stars have to find a way to overcome obstacles and earn more points. Giving up multiple goal leads is no where in the recipe to success and the Dallas Stars will look back on games like yesterday’s come season’s end.
Hopefully not from with disappointment from missing the postseason.
Overtime
The Dallas Stars are winless in four attempts at overtime this season. That means four points slipped away from them as they surrendered goals in the extra five minutes.
Again, this is a difficult area to diagnose with this team because there are so many factors that go into post regulation play. Dallas’ luck has not been so great this year with in game injuries and hardships in general, so those could have definitely played a part.
However, going winless in four overtime games is rather unlikely. Dallas has to find a way to score the overtime winner the next time they go past regulation if only to preserve any sense of confidence they have left.
Sudden death overtime is already a stressful part of hockey, but going into it with the mindset that they simply cannot come out on top is detrimental. That is due, in part, to the fact that the Stars surrender goals late in games and give up leads, which swings momentum in their opposition’s direction.
Heading into overtime when the opposition has the upper hand in momentum is dangerous and has proven fatal to Dallas this season.
All in All
As soon as the Stars can win a game after maintaining a two-goal lead, they will find more confidence. Similarly, as soon as they can earn a victory in overtime they will do the same.
With this team it is not a matter of if, but when these things will happen. The Stars will be just fine without yesterday’s lost point, but if they keep on the path they are on that could become untrue.