As the regular season inches closer, it might be a good idea for Dallas Stars fans to begin plotting out which home games they might want to attend. Here are five games in particular that should be worth the money.
Dallas Stars Insiders got their first chance at buying single-game tickets today. And on Wednesday morning, single-game tickets will go on sale to the general public (for all Stars fans lacking both “Insider status” and season tickets).
As the 2018-19 season draws closer and the hype begins to slowly build, there’s no point in waiting for 50 days to go by before you can fill the hockey void in your life once again. So why not fill the void by emptying your bank account?
The 2018-19 campaign will once again bring an interesting situation for the Dallas Stars. After another offseason of changes and substantial restructuring, the Stars will enter the coming season with an unconfirmed look. They might bust out of the gate and be one of the top contenders in the West, or they may stumble out and work through some growing pains.
But regardless of how things go, you’ll still likely want to be at some of the games just to put that sense of hockey joy back into your life.
More from Blackout Dallas
- Dallas Stars Traverse City Tournament: Who had great performances?
- Grushnikov and Stankoven lead Dallas Stars to 6-3 win over Columbus
- Dallas Stars prospects look to wrap up tournament with a win
- Burn the tapes: Dallas Stars prospects lose 5-1 to Toronto Maple Leafs
- Dallas Stars look to continue success today against the Maple Leafs
If you don’t own a season ticket plan but want to know which games you should buy tickets for, a helpful list is included. These games don’t necessarily confirm anything special, but are ones that should include some sort of extra fireworks or energy that will make them worth your dollar.
Here are five options to go ahead and put your downpayment on for tickets. And some of these games might go fast, so hop to it if you’re truly looking to go.
1. Dallas Stars vs. Arizona Coyotes: Oct. 4, 2018
Opening night. Is there anything else that needs to be said?
But considering it’s game one of 82, this one will be noteworthy for quite a few reasons. First off, it will be the first glimpse of Dallas Stars regular season hockey in the Jim Montgomery era. It’s anyone’s guess as to how Montgomery’s style will translate to the NHL, but you can catch a firsthand look at it on opening night.
In addition, it will also likely be your first chance to see Blake Comeau and Miro Heiskanen make their respective debuts with Dallas, while you will also get a chance to see the return of Valeri Nichushkin.
And lastly, it’s game one. The season opener. Opening night. There’s always an extra sense of excitement and fun in these kinds of games. So get out and see the Stars take on a revamped Arizona team that will once again try and start out on the right foot as they try and work their way out of the Western Conference cellar.
2. Dallas Stars vs. Nashville Predators: Nov. 10, 2018
The Stars have a tall test ahead of them this season in a jam-packed Central division. Six of the seven teams in the division could be argued as serious playoff contenders, but only a maximum of five can get in. It will be up to Dallas to make sure they hang tough and aren’t one of the teams on the outside by the time April rolls around.
Blackhawk Up
One team they will have to duke it out with is the Nashville Predators. The Preds won the Central title last year as well as the President’s Trophy before being ousted in the second round by Winnipeg, yet another divisional foe.
This will be the first meeting between the two teams. As two non-traditional hockey markets, there’s always a certain amount of bad blood between these two clubs, especially in recent years.
And in addition, Dan Hamhuis will make his first return to Dallas after spending the past two seasons as a Star. It’s a Saturday afternoon game. Make sure to take the family or some friends and make a day out of it.
3. Dallas Stars vs. Montreal Canadiens: Dec. 31, 2018
It’s the Dallas Stars playing hockey on New Year’s Eve while the city around them jumps and jolts to life. What more can you ask for?
The Stars have made playing on New Year’s Eve a longstanding tradition (dating back to the pre-2000’s). And more often than not, they find success to close out the calendar year.
Dallas has won four of their last five NYE competitions, including beatdowns of the Nashville Predators, San Jose Sharks, and Arizona Coyotes.
They will welcome in a shaky Montreal Canadiens club that could be missing some of their biggest stars by the time Christmas rolls around. If that’s the case, the Stars could take advantage.
And plus, former Star Jordie Benn will be back in town. Make it a point to go out and see the beard.
The NYE game is typically always a party and gives you a great way to spend the final night of the 2018 year. Spend it wisely, please.
4. Dallas Stars vs. Vancouver Canucks: March 17, 2019
There’s no real beef between these two teams (not anymore, at least) and the Canucks aren’t necessarily threatening to compete for the Cup this season.
Broad Street Buzz
But the reason this game will be so special is that it will be Antoine Roussel‘s first and only visit to Dallas in 2018-19 since leaving the Stars in free agency on July 1, 2018.
In his six seasons with the organization, Roussel quickly became a fan favorite due to his gritty attitude and fast, physical style of play on the ice. He became a resident fighter for the team and spent a good amount of his time in the penalty box. Though he wasn’t a natural scorer by any means, his play was welcomed in a third line and penalty kill role.
Roussel will don a jersey other than a Dallas Stars uniform for the first time in his NHL career this coming season. He’ll be back in Dallas to show it off on March 17, and there’s always a chance for some fireworks and added grit when he’s on the ice.
You might want to be there, if for nothing else than to see the tribute video and hopefully see Dallas secure a much-needed win against a struggling team in late March.
5. Dallas Stars vs. Minnesota Wild: April 6, 2019
The one that will close it all out (or, at least the regular season).
The final home game is always a special one for the Dallas Stars and their fanbase. It typically serves as the team’s Fan Appreciation Night and includes giveaways at the door, random prizes throughout the game, and the “Jerseys Off Their Backs” event at the end of the game where each player gives their jersey to a lucky season ticket holder.
More from Analysis
- Dallas Stars Traverse City Tournament: Who had great performances?
- Taking a look at the teams the Dallas Stars will be playing in the preseason
- Should the Dallas Stars revisit signing Patrick Kane this season?
- Realistic regular season stats for Dallas Stars Roope Hintz
- Realistic regular season stats for Dallas Stars Joe Pavelski
And though it won’t be his first return to Dallas, Greg Pateryn should still be with the Wild (assuming no trades or injuries occur) for the final game. Pateryn served in a valuable role on defense for Dallas last year and revived his own NHL career in the process. He’s now considered a full-time starter and earned a long-term deal with Minnesota over the offseason.
If this is the final goodbye until the 2019-20 season, Stars fans will likely want to be there for one last dose of hockey. And if this is simply a springboard into a Stanley Cup Playoffs run, it will be fun to get one last game of Central Division grittiness in before the serious stuff begins.
But, don’t forget that the Dallas Stars have 41 home games to choose from in their 2018-19 campaign. These are just a few suggestions.
Make sure to get your tickets locked down and mark your calendars for the exciting year ahead.