Dallas Stars: Evaluating Opponents In Western Conference Playoff Race
By Josh Clark
The Central Division
At the moment, the Dallas Stars are at the bottom of Central Division competitors still mathematically in the playoff race. That’s not a good place to be, but things look a smidge better when you realize that only six points separate third place from sixth place. Still, with only 16 points still available for Dallas to pick up, the margin for error is slim.
Here is a look at what the Minnesota Wild, Colorado Avalanche, and St. Louis Blues are doing over the final two weeks of the season.
Minnesota Wild
Record: 41-24-8
Points: 90
ROW: 38
Opponents: Nashville (3/24, 3/27), Boston (3/25), Dallas (3/29, 3/31), Edmonton (4/2), Anaheim (4/4), Los Angeles (4/5), San Jose (4/7)
The Wild have nine games to go and are 2-0-1 over the past week. They are keeping a stable hold on the third wild card spot but are still within striking distance. While it may be tough for Dallas to reach them, teams like Colorado could easily take a swing at them.
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Minnesota will take on five different playoff opponents in seven matchups over the final two weeks. It’s not the easiest schedule and has some pitfalls, but with the Wild clicking the way they are, it’s hard to see them falling to a five-point spread with only two weeks to go.
Still, the Stars will have a chance to complete a four-point swing with a home-and-home against Minnesota at the end of the month. If Dallas can go into that having won three straight games, they could find themselves significantly closer in the playoff race.
Colorado Avalanche
Record: 40-26-8
Points: 88
ROW: 39
Opponents: Vegas (3/24, 3/26), Philadelphia (3/28), Chicago (3/30), Anaheim (4/1), Los Angeles (4/2), San Jose (4/5), St. Louis (4/7)
The Avalanche dropped to a 7-1 beating at the hands of the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday night, which only further complicated the Stars’ road to the postseason. They are tied for the first wild card spot with Anaheim right now and sit four points above Dallas with eight games to go.
Six of their eight games to close out the season are against playoff-caliber opponents, which could make for a tricky path. But if Nathan MacKinnon keeps his hot streak going, it may be hard to slow the Avs down enough to kick them out of either spot. Not to mention that they are only two points out of third in the Central.
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St. Louis Blues
Record: 40-28-5
Points: 85
ROW: 37
Opponents: Vancouver (3/23), Columbus (3/24), San Jose (3/27), Vegas (3/30), Arizona (3/31), Washington (4/2), Chicago (4/4, 4/6), Colorado (4/7)
The Blues arguably have the easiest schedule in this race in terms of Central Division teams. With only five of their final nine games being against playoff opponents, there is a chance that St. Louis, who has a game in hand on the final wild card spot and has won four of their past five games, could make a late jump into the playoff picture.
They could very well end up being the team that holds the Stars out of the playoff race after climbing back from where the Stars currently sit over the past two weeks. Look out for the Blues for sure.
Dallas Stars
Record: 38-28-8
Points: 84
ROW: 34
Opponents: Boston Bruins (3/23), Vancouver Canucks (3/25), Philadelphia Flyers (3/27), Minnesota Wild (3/29, 3/31), San Jose Sharks (4/3), Anaheim Ducks (4/6), Los Angeles Kings (4/7)
Just look at that schedule. That’s enough to make most teams go scurrying for cover.
The Dallas Stars will play seven of their final eight games against playoff opponents to close out the 2017-18 season. There’s a lot riding on these games as the Stars will likely need at least 96 or 97 points to qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The home-and-home against Minnesota will be huge if the Stars can find a way to capitalize on the next three games.
They will have to do it without starting goaltender Ben Bishop, who is sidelined for the next week. The Stars will also have to pick up every precious point as possible at home, where they have been stellar this year.
But this team is one blowout loss away from not only burying their playoff hopes, but also turning in one of the most deflating ends to a season in a long time. That being said, it’s time to swing for the fences.