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Dallas Stars Must Take Advantage Of Break, Return Rested

By Allison Scott |
DALLAS, TX - JANUARY 02: Dallas Stars defenseman John Klingberg (3) celebrates a goal with his teammates during the game between the Dallas Stars and the Columbus Blue Jackets on January 02, 2017 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. Columbus defeats Dallas 2-1. (Photo by Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - JANUARY 02: Dallas Stars defenseman John Klingberg (3) celebrates a goal with his teammates during the game between the Dallas Stars and the Columbus Blue Jackets on January 02, 2017 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. Columbus defeats Dallas 2-1. (Photo by Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Dallas Stars have embarked on a couple of days off. While it is unfortunate that they were playing some of their best hockey of the season heading into the break, they’ll need to use the time off to return rested and ready to play again.

The 2017-18 NHL season is over halfway done. The Dallas Stars are in the thick of things in the extremely competitive Central Division and are currently enjoying a couple of days off.

Now is the time to use their vacations to get ahead of the game when they hit the ice again in a few days.

Healing Old Wounds

As would be expected, there are a few Dallas Stars with injuries they’ve been playing through this season. While Dallas has had no where near the issues they sustained last season with injuries, it’s still important for them to have time off to rest any nagging issues they’re dealing with.

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It’s key to remember that the Stars aren’t obligated to come forward and explain every injury each player has. They don’t even have to specify when players miss time due to injury. It’s more likely than not that there are at least a handful of players in the line-up each night with nagging injuries that inhibit their ability to play.

This time off to rest and relax will certainly help those players to recover and be more prepared for the second half of the season.

Mental Time Out

Hockey is a physical game first and foremost, but there is a mental aspect to it as well. Players can get caught up looking at where they fall in the standings and how much better other teams are performing than them.

All of that in addition to the natural professional athlete pressure they likely put on themselves — whether they’re deserving or not — can be mentally exhausting.

Having a few days to get away from the ice and spend time with loved ones or friends can only be beneficial for the Stars moving forward. They can escape the stress that accompanies playing in the NHL with a few days of relaxation and limited worries.

Again, this time off will help them to return rested and ready to take on the final stretch of the season.

Moving Forward

The second half of the season is no joke. The Stars will need to continue to play their best hockey when they come back from this break and again following the All Star break at the end of the month.

Next: McKenzie Having Stellar Season with Texas Stars

Now isn’t the time to take the foot off the gas pedal because Dallas still has a lot of ground to cover before the puck drops on the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

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