Dallas Stars: Examining Their Path Through The Central Division

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DALLAS, TX – NOVEMBER 21: Minnesota Wild Left Wing Zach Parise (11) attacks the zone with Dallas Stars Defenceman Patrik Nemeth (15) defending during the NHL game between the Minnesota Wild and Dallas Stars on November 21, 2016, at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, TX. Dallas defeats Minnesota 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Andrew Dieb/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

The Probable Threats

There are two teams in the Central Division that always raise some sort of threat level within the division. Though they may not win the division overall, they are shoo-ins for the postseason and always put up one strong fight. Here are two teams that Dallas should keep a stern eye on this year.

St. Louis Blues

Meetings this season: 3 home (12/29, 2/16, 3/3), 2 away (10/7, 12/7)

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Ever since the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Dallas Stars and St. Louis Blues have not had the best relationship. It might not have been the strongest relationship before, but the semifinals round in 2016 didn’t help things.

The Blues knocked the Stars out of the postseason in a demoralizing 6-1 fashion in game seven of the second round. The worst part is that it happened in front of a sold out crowd at the American Airlines Center.

After that series, the Blues quickly made their way onto the Stars’ hit list. Since then, it’s been a long haul for Dallas. They spent the 2016-17 season going 1-1-2 against St. Louis on their way to an awful year.

The Blues are preparing for a redemption year after being knocked out of the second round of last year’s playoffs by the Nashville Predators. They spent the offseason losing and gaining talent across the board.

Jori Lehtera, David Perron, and Nail Yakupov all left for new destinations, while Brayden Schenn and Chris Thorburn joined the team. That’s a pretty even exchange.

The Blues have made the playoffs in six straight seasons and look poised to do it again this year. It almost seems repetitive each year, but the Blues have yet to make it to the Stanley Cup Final. Is this going to be the year that they finally get over the cusp? They haven’t made any significant additions this offseason, but if their goaltending and defense can continue to hold up (even in Ken Hitchcock’s absence), they could be dangerous.

The Dallas Stars definitely need to keep an eye on the Blues. Even when the Stars practically ran the Central in 2015-16, the Blues still kept with them stride for stride. Never look over the Blues.

Minnesota Wild

Meetings this season: 2 home (2/3, 3/31), 2 away (12/27, 3/29)

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It’s hard to argue that the Minnesota Wild didn’t own a significant chunk of the Central Division last season. They were simply unbelievable. The Wild finished the year with 49 wins and 106 points, but somehow couldn’t make it out of the first round of the playoffs.

Still, it was a good season for Minnesota. The question is whether they will be able to turn in a similar year in 2017-18.

Notable additions included Marcus Foligno and Tyler Ennis, while notable subtractions were Marco Scandella, Jason Pominville, and Erik Haula. It’s hard to believe that the Wild win and dominate the Central Division for a second straight year, but it’s perfectly logical to think that they will make the playoffs for a ninth straight year.

The Stars went 1-3-1 against the Wild last season, with their only win coming in overtime back in November. Dallas and Minnesota have had a fierce rivalry brewing ever since the Stars relocated to Dallas in 1993.

These two teams will once again duke it out this year, and Minnesota has the potential to make things interesting. With the team they currently possess, don’t count them out yet.

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