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Dallas Stars: What All Happened During Lindy Ruff’s Tenure

By Josh Clark

Apr 11, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Stars left wing Jamie Benn (14) and head coach Lindy Ruff celebrate the win over the St. Louis Blues at the American Airlines Center. The Stars shut out the Blues 3-0 and clinched the final playoff spot in the western conference. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 11, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Stars left wing Jamie Benn (14) and head coach Lindy Ruff celebrate the win over the St. Louis Blues at the American Airlines Center. The Stars shut out the Blues 3-0 and clinched the final playoff spot in the western conference. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 27, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Julius Honka prepares to put on a team sweater in front of team officials after being selected as the number fourteen overall pick to the Dallas Stars in the first round of the 2014 NHL Draft at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 27, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Julius Honka prepares to put on a team sweater in front of team officials after being selected as the number fourteen overall pick to the Dallas Stars in the first round of the 2014 NHL Draft at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Lindy Ruff’s Second Season in Dallas

After a season filled with immense excitement and promise, Ruff embarked on his second season behind the bench with the Dallas Stars. Though the results seemed bleak, the Stars still had plenty of bright spots in 2014-15.

Spezza’s arrival

Jason Spezza was traded to the Dallas Stars on July 1, 2014, and Ruff knew just where to put him. Using him as a second-line center, the Stars quickly went from being slim down the middle to having arguably the best one-two punch in the NHL with Seguin and Spezza. Ruff definitely knew how to use Spezza to his advantage.

Offensive firepower

The Stars actually finished second overall in the NHL in 14-15 in the goals for department. They scored a total of 257, which is just two less than the Lightning who claimed first place. That gave them an average of 3.13 goals per game. They would only go up from there.

More from Blackout Dallas

Stars improve on 2013-14 performance

It might seem crazy considering the Dallas Stars missed the playoffs in 2014-15, but they actually improved on their record from the year before by one point (92 points).

With all of the defensive deficiencies and the lack of a competent two-goaltender set in the crease, Ruff still found a way to salvage the season and make a tiny step in the right direction.

Benn wins the Art Ross Trophy in dramatic fashion

In a game 82 that was disappointing because of the lack of playoffs following it, there was still a bright spot involved. Jamie Benn, who had quickly become one of the most dynamic players in the NHL, had a chance to win the Art Ross Trophy, which is awarded to the player who tallies the most points in a season, on the final night.

With 8.5 seconds to go in the third period, Benn tallied an assist which pushed him into first place in the league with 87 points. It was a great end to Ruff’s second year in Dallas.

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