The Dallas Stars are out of the postseason, but you aren’t out of luck in how to deal with the potential misery of the next 11 games.
Now that it’s pretty clear the Dallas Stars aren’t destined for the postseason, many of us are suffering from that gloomy so what feeling. Without the excitement of a close and desperate finish that a lot of Stars fans have come to expect, the next 11 games might seem to be stretching across an eternity.
What is there to look forward to until we get to that glorious nothingness of hockey hibernation where we are relieved of our suffering?
Where we would have normally been watching each game on the edge of our seats hoping to accumulate enough points to scrape by into a playoff spot, now each game is just another nail in the coffin. But, there are other ways to approach the last 11 games of the season.
Here are some recommendations of small achievements to look for and celebrate in the absence of a playoff bid. Take it as a Dallas Stars bingo of sorts. If the Stars decide to nab a few of these in a row, and really, all of us will come out winners.
Dallas Stars
A game in which all of the top 6 forwards are uninjured. Yeah, so maybe it’s like praying for rain in the middle of the Sahara, but whatever. Jamie Benn returns tonight when the Stars take on the Sharks, only to have Jason Spezza sidelined by, of all things, back spasms. Of course, the way this season has gone has given me spasms, too, so really, I’m with you on that one, Spezz. So if the Stars manage to compete in a game before the end of the season with all top 6 forwards uninjured and at the ready, that’s a check mark for everyone.
A game in which the same goalie that started, finishes. Caution: we are entering into pet peeve territory. I could rant all day long about how the Stars are doing themselves more long term harm than short term good by switching out goalies like the French switch out their bread, but at this point, let’s go ahead and accept it as.
Here’s how I help myself out with that. You’re welcome to join in and repeat along with me: hii, everyone, my name is and I am ridiculously annoyed with the Stars goalie situation. May I have the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know that nothing concerning the Dallas Stars falls into the latter category.
So if the Dallas Stars go a full game without the old goalie-pull, go ahead and give yourself another check mark. Something positive has been achieved, and we all deserve the goldest of gold stars.
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A game in which no turnovers are committed. Regardless of that being the tallest order you’re going to find on this list, I think it’s a noble goal and something that could potentially keep you on the edge of your seat, albeit on level far less substantial than would, say, good hockey from the Stars.
Let’s be honest. Do I think we’re gonna be able to check this one off of our little Dallas Stars bingo card? Not a chance. But it’ll sure be fun, engaging, and highly frustrating to try.
A game in which the Stars score a PPG and also do not give up a SHG in the duration of the 20 minutes. This one has been a toughie. There are pros and cons to everything in life. For the Stars, that means that when their power play gets going, their penalty kill get going, too, just in in the opposite direction.
The Stars don’t seem to do too well with preventing short handed goals, although it’s been a few games since they’ve allowed one. The Stars also don’t seem to do too well with scoring power play goals and, naturally, it’s been a few games since they scored one.
Eh, c’est la vie. Manage to check this one off on the list, and it’ll make us all happy campers.
A game in which the Stars challenge a goal and you hear every piece of audible art Enya ever crafted. Okay, so this is basically a throw away. But even bingo boards have the free space in the middle. And I don’t care who you are, everyone likes free bingo spaces.
Next: The Dallas Stars' Fate Is Tied To Jamie Benn
As you can see, my wish list for these last 11 games ranges from expectations more unrealistic than those fostered by Disney, to the lowest expectations possible. But hey, variety is still the spice of life and all.
So now that playoffs are dust in the wind, what things are you using as your proverbial carrot-on-the-stick to get you through the homestretch and on to the glorious ice rink in the sky known as off season? Let us know in the comments so we can all commiserate a little less aimlessly together.