Dallas Stars’ Short Break Should Prove Advantageous
The Dallas Stars will be back in action tonight for the first time since Wednesday night. This short break should give the Stars some positive energy.
The Dallas Stars will visit the San Jose Sharks tonight at SAP Center after a few days off of play. While they still practiced and traveled to San Jose in the time since their 5-2 loss to the Ottawa Senators Wednesday night, the days off of game action should be helpful in their effort.
Dallas has experienced a lot of changes this season and will likely see more in the near future with the expansion draft and free agency coming in a few months. That on top of the turmoil they have dealt with during their 2016-17 campaign makes a few days of no games peaceful.
Out of their Heads
The Stars are in a nail-biting, frustrating and unlikely bid for a postseason spot. They are not likely candidates to find themselves playing come the latter half of April and considering the high expectations heading into the season, they are disappointed.
Still there is a chance. Although it is small and not in their favor, they could make the postseason if they can pick up ground by winning the vast majority of their remaining games. Every scenario of them reaching that coveted wild card playoff position is running through their minds constantly.
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Of course, that gets tiring. There are days when thinking about what other teams are doing surely has to be the only thing they think of. Exhausted minds do not, however, produce quality hockey. Despite its obvious physical requirements, hockey is a highly mentally involved sport. There are not many set plays in the game and that alone requires players to be able to predict, at least to some extent, what their opposition is going to do.
A few days of not being involved in the action will hopefully put the Stars’ minds at rest and allow them to focus on improving themselves as a team and individuals. Despite Dallas having lost their realistic ability to control their own fate, they can still improve and grow during the remainder of this season regardless of its outcome.
Casino Night
Part of that separation from the game was Dallas’ annual casino night held Friday night. All of the Stars were dressed up and serving as cocktail waiters and card game dealers while serving dedicated Dallas Stars fans.
The night is always one of the most highly regarded and enjoyable nights of the year and it certainly reminds the team of the support they have.
Mingling with fans and discussing things that do not have to do with the game but still involve the media makes for a less stress-inducing environment. With less than a month remaining in the season, that reminder could be very valuable for a team that has dealt with the issues the Stars have.
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Moving Forward
With that said, tonight is the time to check back in to the game. Dallas has a formidable opponent in San Jose and will need to have a strong outing to come out on top, especially on the road.
Each point Dallas can earn is a step closer to their playoff hopes and a step away from mathematical elimination. Building morale for this team is crucial for their future and could be the difference maker in regards to how they do moving forward.