Dallas Stars Finding Identity One Game At A Time

Dallas Stars hockey has been running on an inconsistent system for the first few games of the 2017-18 season. However, lately they’ve been able to discover their identity as a team.

The Dallas Stars have already had their fair share of highs and lows just four games into the new NHL season. Those have contributed to a far better understanding of exactly who they are as a team.

Although difficult to watch at times, these revelations will prove advantageous in the near future.

Knowing what works

Dallas is suffering from growing pains at the moment. That coupled with the tendency of the beginning of the season to be a time to feel out new players, systems and ways of attacking the game itself has influenced that.

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While the Stars have fallen victim to this early, they’ve also shown glimpses of greatness.

Despite issues with special teams in their first road game of the season – a 4-2 loss to the St. Louis Blues – it proved to be a great advantage in their sole home win on the year earlier this week.

Specifically, identifying that John Klingberg‘s point shot is a thing of beauty that can find its way to the net on a regular basis has largely transformed Dallas’ ability to score on the power play. Once as they fully recognize the sheer talent that is present on the top power play unit – which is stacked in a way that any team in the league is surely jealous of – they’ll be unstoppable.

Knowing what doesn’t

Through their losses, the Stars have uncovered what about this team that isn’t in tip top shape. Given that they’ve just added a number of new faces to the roster, it’s no wonder they didn’t start out of the gate running.

Plus, the injury to Ben Bishop – which is thankfully in the process of healing and not affecting his ability to play – put a wrench in the Stars’ ability to get used to the newcomer in net.

Now with the roster more solidified and a better understanding of what does and doesn’t work, the Stars have found some form of consistency to their game. While it’d be best to just know what works upfront, it’s helpful that the Stars are figuring out what doesn’t early. At the end of the day it will make them a better, more well-rounded hockey club.

Next: Hitchcock Already Making History in Return to Dallas

Moving forward

The hope is that the Stars will be done with these growing pains sooner rather than later. Too much of a slow start can stunt a team’s ability to make the postseason and cause the need for a significant push come season’s end, which is extremely taxing on the players.

Dallas needs to head into the playoffs well rested and ready to take on the powerhouses that call the Western Conference home. Of course, they have to win a few games between now and when that will ultimately happen.