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Dallas Stars: Final Thoughts On Tuesday’s Loss To Nashville Predators

By Josh Clark

DALLAS, TX - DECEMBER 5: Things get heated between Jamie Benn
DALLAS, TX - DECEMBER 5: Things get heated between Jamie Benn /
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DALLAS, TX – DECEMBER 05: Nashville Predators left wing Cody McLeod (55) checks Dallas Stars center Gemel Smith (46) to the ice during the game between the Dallas Stars and the Nashville Predators on Tuesday 05, 2017 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. Nashville beats Dallas 5-2. (Photo by Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX – DECEMBER 05: Nashville Predators left wing Cody McLeod (55) checks Dallas Stars center Gemel Smith (46) to the ice during the game between the Dallas Stars and the Nashville Predators on Tuesday 05, 2017 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. Nashville beats Dallas 5-2. (Photo by Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Maybe The Hottest, But Still Not The Best Team In The NHL

Let me start this one by saying that I believe the Dallas Stars are a good hockey team right now. They are finding confidence and figuring out how to use that inner motivation. It is beginning to pay off in dividends for the club and giving a bright outlook on the future.

But they still are not a great hockey team (not yet, at least). The Nashville Predators started the year out on an average note, but have found that great spark. Right now, the Preds are playing like a great hockey team and they proved that to the Stars last night in a 5-2 skunking.

Dallas Stars
Dallas Stars /

Dallas Stars

Dallas lacked the necessary effort, determination, and overall willpower that Nashville brought to the game. And in case you didn’t know, last night’s game was the second of a back-to-back for Nashville. So a tired bunch beat a team that had won their last five. Makes perfect sense, right?

On the stat sheet, it looks as though the Stars were clearly the better team. Dallas outshot Nashville 45-32 but only put two past Juuse Saros, the Preds backup that brought an ugly .870 save percentage into the game. The Stars outdid Nashville in the face-off dot as well. But it was still the Predators who carried the day by a significant margin.

That’s because the Predators capitalized on their chances. You could have a million chances, but they don’t mean a thing unless you capitalize on them.

There is also something to be said about the Dallas Stars’ level of grit and compete. It simply wasn’t there. The level of energy that the Stars had shown over their five-game win streak was practically non-existent last night.

The Predators were simply the more focused and determined club. They capitalized on the Stars’ slow start, made an early impact, and jumped out to a big lead. Meanwhile, Dallas struggled to find a way to at least stall Nashville’s energy.

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Last night’s game was another reminder that the Dallas Stars are still in the growing process. They are still finding their chemistry and learning to work as a complete unit. It’s not like last night’s game was a backbreaker by any means, though some are making it out to be. It was simply an ugly loss that halted some impressive progress. Therefore, it makes everything look pretty bad.

But in reality, the Stars are still working their way up the ladder. Things are not bad or even subpar. The Stars are still 16-11-1 and sit five games above .500. Their progress is encouraging for the future.

The loss to the Predators was simply a wake-up call reminding the Stars that they still have a ways to go. They could not hang with one of the best teams in the league, and it extinguished their hot streak. But now it’s up to the Stars to relight the fire and start up a new run.

It’s tough going against the league’s best teams. In order to compete with one of the best, you have to be one of the best. The Dallas Stars are getting there, but they are not there just yet.

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