In one week, the Dallas Stars defeated the San Jose Sharks not once, but twice. The first, Monday, Dallas shutout the Sharks 1-0, and moved on to defeat them again on Friday, 6-1. Their two notable performances left us wondering, where the heck has this gameplay been all season?
It’s exciting to witness victories of high-caliber this late in the season. At this point, it’s going to take some divine intervention to get the Dallas Stars to the playoffs. It’s been pretty disappointing, but there’s really not a better way to end the season than with a high note.
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Many of the players who experienced injury earlier this season made healthy returns and are beginning to find their groove again.
Coach Lindy Ruff commented on the gameplay of F Ales Hemsky on Friday, highlighting that he is gaining back some of his old speed. Together, Hemsky and rookie F Remi Elie has complemented the Stars’ skill level in recent games.
Kari Lehtonen played between the pipes for both performances against the Sharks, proving to us the goaltending skills that others doubted he had.
"“He’s there to meet a lot of pucks and he’s reading a lot of plays,” Ruff said. “I think that’s the biggest challenge against teams who can move the puck east/west is to read and stay in good position to make the saves. Tonight he fought hard to make a couple of saves on a couple of redirections. We stayed away from the 2-on-1’s and the high-percentage plays but he fought hard on a couple of those defensive zone plays and redirections that got to him.”"
Another notable newcomer, D Greg Pateryn, may have found his way on the Dallas ice.
"“I think these last two or three games Greg has really found some footing with us,” Ruff said. “The first couple of games, it takes a while for any player when you come in. Defending-wise he’s been really solid for us. These last few games, even in Chicago, I thought he’s made some really nice defensive plays.”"
One very major event happened on Friday to F Adam Cracknell: His first career NHL hat trick.
What made the event special was not only that Cracknell earned it but that he deserved it. He’s often the first on the ice at skates, practicing extra shots on goal. The Dallas Stars’ reaction made the moment unforgettable for Cracknell.
"“It’s the type of group we have; they know I don’t score that many goals so to get that reaction from my teammates meant the most,” Cracknell said. “It was a good feeling and especially to get a win and now we are going on the road for a while and then coming home for three games, I think it was important to show our fans we still care no matter where we are in the standings, we are a team that can make a push in the future and a lot of guys are showing that right now.”"
This season hasn’t made things easy for the Stars, but there are definitely things to look forward to.
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The Dallas Stars jetted off to New Jersey on Saturday, preparing to take on the Devils for the first game of a five-game road trip. Games on the road have been a weakness for the Stars this season. Hopefully, they’ll bring some of this weeks’ moxie into their upcoming games.