Dallas Stars: Multiple Games Against Predators Provide Measuring Stick

The month of February offers three different matchups between the Dallas Stars and Nashville Predators. Considering how the Central division standings currently look and the relationship between the two teams, these meetings could tell a lot about where the Stars are going.

Friday night provided the Dallas Stars with the best possible way to start their February 2019 campaign.

After defeating the Buffalo Sabres in a gritty 1-0 game to open up post-break play on Wednesday, Dallas squared off with the Minnesota Wild to close out their season-long homestand. One point separated the two teams in the Central division standings and the third place spot in the division was on the line.

It was a Friday night showdown that various Stars players and coaches dubbed as a “playoff game.” There was a need for continued success as Dallas had a great opportunity presented to them.

The Stars capitalized in a big way, downing the Wild 3-1. They were the better team for the entire 60-minute frame and wore down Minnesota with a consistent offensive push and stingy defensive effort. Ben Bishop was great, the Dallas blue line heavily limited the number of good chances for Minnesota, and the Stars picked up goals from Andrew Cogliano and Tyler Seguin (x2) to secure the win.

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With the victory, the Dallas Stars moved their win streak to three games and reclaimed third in the division. They also started a challenging February slate off with some impressive momentum.

But, there was little time to celebrate. Shortly after the victory, the Stars boarded a plane and headed for Nashville. And on Saturday at 7 p.m., they will drop the puck against the Predators in the second leg of a Central division back-to-back.

It’s the third meeting of the season between the two clubs, with Dallas owning a 1-0-1 record in the series. But, the month of February (more specifically, the next three weeks) will offer plenty of opportunity to shift that record around.

The Stars and Predators will square off in three different contests over the next 18 days. Those three contests will inevitably wrap up the season series between the two clubs as both continue to push for positioning in the Central division playoff race.

This could end up being a crucial part of the February stretch as well as the end-of-season stretch in general for Dallas. That’s due to a few different reasons.

For one, while every divisional game is considered a “four-point” contest, some mean more than others. After outlasting the Wild on Friday night, the Stars hopped back into third place in the Central with 56 points. That puts them one spot behind the Predators, who sit in second with 64 points. But with two games in hand, Dallas may not be as far back as they seem depending on how things fall.

And when you factor in the contests between the two teams over the next three weeks, there are six potential points on the line for whichever team wants them the most. If the Stars win all three games, they could potentially find themselves within striking distance of second place by the last week of the month. If Dallas drops all three, an insurmountable margin could quickly form between second and third in the division. There are still 31 games remaining in the Stars’ season and a lot can happen in that timeframe. These three games could determine a lot in regards to the divisional ranks.

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In addition, these matchups can serve as a measuring stick for the Dallas Stars. While they sit in a top-three spot in the division right now, how big is the gap between third and the top two spots in terms of being a legitimate playoff threat? Is there a gap at all? These next three games will help in answering those questions.

Two of the contests take place at Bridgestone Arena (Feb. 2 and Feb. 7), while the final matchup will play out at the American Airlines Center (Feb. 19). The first two games offer Dallas a chance to return to one of the tougher arenas in the NHL after escaping with a win in their first go-round. Back on Dec. 27, 2018, Anton Khudobin recorded a stunning 49-save shutout against the Predators in Nashville. The shutout set all sorts of records and gave the Stars their first win in Tennessee since 2016. Going back to Bridgestone for two more contests gives Dallas a chance to continue staking their claim in a divisional foe’s barn.

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The next three weeks also present an opportunity to assess a potential first round matchup in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. If the season ended today, the Stars and Predators would square off in the opening round of the postseason. And though there’s a lot of season left to be played, there is a real chance that these two clubs finish the year in a position where they meet up to kick off playoff action.

The Dallas Stars and Nashville Predators sit in the top three in the Central division right now. A few points may separate them, but the two teams always know how to play neck-and-neck when they meet up. The games usually involve fast-paced action, physical battles, and a heavyweight goaltending showdown. It’s just the connection that these two teams possess.

Two weeks ago, the Stars outdid the Winnipeg Jets in a 4-2 finish at the AAC and reopened the discussion about their legitimacy. They haven’t lost a game since and are starting to build up a bit of a streak at an important time in the regular season.

The Predators have something to prove as they continue to chase the Jets for first place in the Central. The Stars, meanwhile, are trying to prove that they belong in the top three and that they can go toe-to-toe with one of the best teams in the league on a consistent basis.

That all starts tonight when the two teams meet up in The Music City.