The regular season is back in session. Tonight, the Dallas Stars face a pivotal matchup against the Los Angeles Kings. If they lose, there’s a chance that the Stars’ playoff hopes could be put in serious jeopardy.
Yes, the Dallas Stars currently sit in the first wild card spot in the Western Conference. Yes, they are currently playing some of their best hockey of the year over the past 15 games. And yes, a loss tonight could still put their playoff hopes in jeopardy.
It’s not really anything that they have done wrong, per say. The Stars are playing exceptional hockey and look like one of the most powerful teams in the league. But there’s just one small problem: just about every other team, specifically in the Central Division and Western Conference, is looking powerful and dominant as well.
So unlike in 2015-16 when the Dallas Stars could go on a skid and still be okay in their playoff standing, this year is significantly different. This season, there can be no off days or off games. The Stars need to stay at their current pace and even speed it up if they are truly bound for the postseason.
And tonight’s game puts the Stars in another pivotal situation with even higher stakes. The Dallas Stars will face off with the Los Angeles Kings at 7:30 p.m. to finish up a three-game homestand. There’s a lot riding on this game, too.
Dallas Stars
The Stars currently sit in the first wild card spot in the Western Conference, as we talked about earlier. They own a record of 28-18-4 with 60 points. While that is impressive through 50 games, it’s still not giving them much breathing room.
Just below Dallas in the second wild card spot is the Colorado Avalanche. Their record sits at 27-18-3 with 57 points. They have won 10 of their past 12 games and are one of the hottest teams in the league. And while the Stars have more than two points (one win) separating them, the Avs have two games in hand on them. So do the other teams directly below Colorado.
As you make your way down the Western Conference standings, things only get tighter. There are three other teams besides the Avalanche that sit with 57 points as well. They are the Minnesota Wild, Anaheim Ducks, and, as you probably guessed from the title, the Los Angeles Kings.
The Kings and Wild are tied for ninth place at the moment with identical records. They both hold a mark of 26-18-5 with 57 points and are still very much alive in the playoff race. And considering the Kings have played one less game than the Stars, tonight’s game could mean a lot.
Though there are three points separating the two teams, let’s assume that the Kings come to Dallas and win in regulation tonight. That leaves Dallas at the 60-point mark and bumps LA to 59 points… with a game still in hand.
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With that being said, even if Dallas and all the teams around them in the standings finished the season on an undefeated note (which I know is next to impossible), the Kings would jump the Stars. And if Colorado or Minnesota did the same, they would all be above Dallas in the standings following game 82. That’s a scary thought, huh?
It just goes to show that there is no level of comfort in the Western Conference this season. There are too many teams that are playing excellent hockey. If you get comfortable, you will quickly find yourself behind with a long road ahead to get back into the fight.
Tonight’s game may as well be considered a playoff game, or at the very least a “play in” game. Games against the Central Division are crucial, but so are games against the Western Conference in general, especially when you are in the wild card race.
The Stars will be minus a few players tonight, including Antoine Roussel, Martin Hanzal, and Marc Methot. Julius Honka will hop back into the lineup for his first game in two weeks. Finally, Ben Bishop will get the start in net against his former team.
Next: Stars Know That It's Time To Get Serious
There’s a lot to like about tonight’s game. It’s two desperate teams that need to be on top of their game and want it more than the opposition. The loser will be behind regardless of what else happens and will need an answer quick, while the winner will continue their pursuit to rise.
It’s the first game back from the All-Star Game. Will the Dallas Stars be the team that wants it more?