Dallas Stars: 2018 Playoff Push Can Serve As Reminder In 2019 Race

Saturday night offers the Dallas Stars an opportunity to take another big step in the 2019 playoff race. In addition to that, it also marks the one-year anniversary to an important date in the Stars’ 2018 playoff race. That date can serve both as a reminder and as motivation in the present race.

Timehop is a beautiful creation.

The app was released in Feb. 2011 and offers all Apple and Android users a chance to dive into the past on a daily basis. Upon the user connecting their Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, photo album, and other memory-storing tools, the app delivers them with a daily summary regarding what all they did on that day.

But while it provides users with an opportunity to relive and embrace the happy and high points of their life, it also gives them a chance to relive the bad memories and continue learning from them. And that’s where our Dallas Stars discussion turns to on this Saturday afternoon.

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As I was scrolling through my Timehop on Saturday morning, the first memory that popped up was an article I had written and subsequently tweeted out on March 9, 2018. The story focused on the importance of a game between the Dallas Stars and Anaheim Ducks that would be played on that Friday night at the American Airlines Center.

Both teams sat in a playoff spot going into the game. The race was tight, though, and points were of the utmost importance. But for a Stars team that had one final home game to play before a six-game road trip, two points almost seemed like a requirement.

Dallas owned sole possession of the first wild card spot on the morning of the contest with 80 points through 67 games played. For a quick reference point, the Stars currently sit at 75 points and in the first wild card spot through 67 games played on March 9, 2019.

But back to the game. Though it took a gritty and come-from-behind effort using deflection goals from Devin Shore and Jamie Benn, the Stars managed to pull off a 2-1 win. The victory boosted them to 82 points, revitalized their playoff hopes after a slow start to the month of March, and put them in a good position as they transitioned to the road trip.

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And, as you probably remember, that’s where the wheels fell off. The Dallas Stars sunk while away from home, going 0-4-2 at the most critical point of the season. Upon returning home, they dropped two more games to the Bruins and Canucks and eliminated their once-bright hopes of qualifying for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

But for that one night against Anaheim, everything seemed to be alright. It was a physical game filled with emotion against a team also desperate for points and Dallas found a way to come out on top. The big victory propelled them into the road trip on a high note and once again had the Stars’ sights favorably set on a playoff spot. 82 points with 14 games to go? No team in that scenario had ever missed the playoffs in the history of the NHL.

Now, fast forward 365 days. The Dallas Stars are preparing to wrap up a three-game homestand on Saturday night against the Chicago Blackhawks. They own a two-game win streak, sit in sole possession of the first wild card spot in the Western Conference, and boast a 35-27-5 record with 75 points. On top of that, they will head out for a two-game road trip following the matchup.

That’s an eerily familiar situation. Though the Blackhawks are nine points out of the final wild card spot in the West, they are still technically alive and, as a result, desperate for points. They have nothing to hold back and need a win to keep themselves afloat, making it a tough challenge for a Stars team also in need of points.

“Yeah, they’re down to their last chance this year and they have to put together a win streak to stay in the playoff race,” said Mattias Janmark at today’s morning skate. “I think they’re probably going to be enthusiastic in the beginning and hopeful. But if we can shut them down early and maybe go up a goal, maybe they’re going to lose faith a little bit and loosen their game. I think the start is going to be really important. We can’t let them get anything done.”

And this is where the Stars can do what every high school history teaches and learn from their past.

March 9, 2019 offers a chance to learn from the situation on March 9, 2018. It can help remind the Stars that, whether they win or lose against the Blackhawks, that the race is still far from over. 14 games can change a lot in the standings. And with how packed the playoff race is in the Western Conference this season (arguably even more so than it was in 2018), there’s a certain need for consistency.

The Dallas Stars know that every win is important right now. They talk about it in the media scrums and acknowledge it through their play on the ice. But they also have to know that one win isn’t a defining factor; not yet, at least. Tuesday night’s win against the New York Rangers was gritty, but it doesn’t define the season. The victory over Colorado on Thursday was impressive and well-rounded, but it’s valued in the same way as each of the final 15 games.

But on top of being a lesson, it’s also a motivational factor. The win last year against the Ducks was a big one, but it was quickly negated by an ugly strand of losses. This season, they look determined to not let the playoffs slip from their reach for a third straight year. That all begins with keeping the energy and intensity high past March 9 and into the rest of the campaign.

March 9, 2018 was ultimately the last positive day of the 2017-18 regular season for the Dallas Stars. From there on out, there was always a stroke of mediocrity or disappointment connected to the team.

This season, it’s important to remember that. It’s just as important, however, to learn from it.

The playoff push rages on tonight at the AAC. There’s a chance for the Stars to gain ground in the race, push Chicago further behind the eight-ball, and enter the final 14 games of the schedule with momentum. It’s happened before. But will the Stars be able to capitalize this time around?