With Christmas right around the corner, here’s a look at what the Dallas Stars are wishing for this holiday season in every position on the ice.
While you likely won’t get everything on your holiday wishlist, there are certainly things you really want. Hockey teams function similarly, and the Dallas Stars are no different.
There are a few things that the Stars really want and some others that they desperately need. Here’s what they will likely be asking for this holiday season.
Health
First and foremost, the Dallas Stars need to get and remain healthy. It’s amazing what they’ve been able to do with nearly their entire defensive line-up sitting in the press box recovering from injuries this year.
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But, that’s not a recipe for success. Although they deserve every bit of credit for holding it together in the absence of big names on the blue line, it’s not a sustainable solution. Once the season really takes its toll on the young defenders, they likely won’t be able to put up the minutes they have thus far. That’s where reinforcements will be necessary.
If the Stars get anything on this list, they need health the most. They need players to get back into the line-up and up to the speed of the game, and they need to have players stay on the roster and out of the press box.
Consistency
Ah, the old beast shines its ugly head once again. You’d be hard pressed to find any sports team that doesn’t struggle with consistency because it’s just so difficult to do. With factors like injuries and changes in the game and opponents, it’s always remarkable when teams manage to pull of success year after year.
The Stars are no different. They find themselves playing like a well-oiled machine one game and then like a group of 5-year-olds playing soccer the next. There’s no expectation for them to be perfect because that’s simply unrealistic, but Dallas is certainly hoping to find a more consistent thread throughout their game this holiday season.
Special Teams
Last, but certainly not least, the Stars are in need of their special teams to show up more regularly. While this feeds into the consistency idea, there’s a greater concern with the team’s power play unit in the fact that they go missing for periods of time.
With players like the Stars have, there’s no reason for the power play to be standing still in the zone. Or worse, unable to get the puck in the offensive zone altogether. It’s hard to watch and, I’m sure, frustrating to be apart of. But, it needs to stop if they’re going to have any success in the 2019 leg of the campaign.
As much as they say they need to simplify their approach to special teams, the Stars really should have it figured out. Throw on the skates, grab your helmet and get to work.