Dallas Stars Trending In Right Direction At Right Time
The Dallas Stars have tended to fall into times of great success and others of rather significant failure this season. While they’ve improved miles beyond what they were able to accomplish last season, their current streak is in the right direction at the right time.
February has been a month of victories thus far for the Dallas Stars. They’ve managed to navigate the NHL terrain in a way that they hadn’t before, and it’s encouraging to see. A few keys have made this three-game streak possible.
Levering Both Goaltenders
As unfortunate as Ben Bishop‘s facial swelling injury was — he did get hurt while sitting on the bench — the Stars have played confidently with Kari Lehtonen in the blue paint.
In the first real example of Dallas utilizing their one-two punch this season, No. 32 proved he can still hold his own. Those games he spent watching his team play weren’t a complete loss, but seeing Lehtonen come into games and show his ability to be a difference maker changes the landscape for the Stars.
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No longer are they entirely reliant on Bishop to earn points. Lehtonen has now been in a few games and is involved in the rhythm of the season, which is only going to help the Stars down the stretch. Games only get tougher and now the Stars can withstand that pressure.
Line-up Alterations
Maybe what’s most impressive about this version of Dallas is their ability to play Stars hockey regardless of who is in — or conversely out — of the line-up. It’s no secret that Martin Hanzal has had trouble staying healthy this season, which has elicited some doubt in his signing from the offseason.
However, games like Monday night’s 2-1 victory over the New York Rangers prove he can re-join the team and make an impact. While it would be preferred that the veteran forward could stay in the line-up and maintain the level of play Jim Nill had in mind when signing him, Hanzal’s ability to slot into the roster is advantageous for Dallas.
That same logic can easily be applied to the young defensemen the Stars have been rotating in and out of the line-up. Julius Honka and Dillon Heatherington have been making it hard on the coaching staff to determine line combinations because of their high level of play.
While the #FreeHonka movement is still very much alive and well, the Stars are lucky to have a number of defenders who can hold their own at such a young age.
Next: Dallas Stars' Goaltending Duo Can Be Difference-Maker
Moving Forward
Ultimately, if the Stars keep playing the way they have been of late, they won’t be losing too often this month. And, they’ll be heading into the postseason with momentum on their side.