Dallas Stars: Things To Watch In Second Round Against St. Louis Blues
The Crease Battle: The Veteran vs. The New Guy
When you think of the turnarounds that both the Stars and Blues put together in the second half of the regular season, there is a similar catalyst between the two: goaltending.
For the Blues, it was Jordan Binnington. The rookie goaltender was called up in early mid-December by the Blues and, after some more struggles in the crease to enter the New Year, was given the reins in mid-January. What followed was an unparalleled performance that turned Binnington into a finalist for the Calder Trophy (awarded to the NHL’s top rookie).
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SenShot
Binnington went 24-5-1 in 32 games played with St. Louis, posting a .927 save percentage, 1.89 goals against average, and 5 shutouts along the way. He provided the fuel for what turned into an 11-game win streak for the Blues that started near the All-Star Break and ended in late February. He served as a confident no. 1 starter for St. Louis during their run to the playoffs.
Meanwhile, the Dallas Stars leaned heavily on the services of Ben Bishop down the stretch. Luckily for them, the 32-year-old goaltender didn’t disappoint. Bishop turned in a 27-15-2 record along with a superb .934 save percentage, 1.98 goals against average, and 7 shutouts. All of those numbers are career-highs for Bishop and earned him a nomination for the Vezina Trophy (awarded annually to the NHL’s top goalie).
Neither of these goalies let up in the first round, either. Both went 4-2-0 in the crease, rallied from a bad start, and turned in impressive numbers (Binnington: .908 SV%, 2.63 GAA / Bishop: .945 SV%, 1.90 GAA) as they led their respective clubs to round two.
So, it’s clear that these two teams are built on sturdy and reliable goaltending. It’s the main storyline going into this second-round series and looks as though it may play a prime role in which team comes out on top.
And that’s where it could become a battle of experience. Bishop helped carry the 2015 Tampa Bay Lightning to the Stanley Cup Final and has been a part of three playoff runs. Meanwhile, Binnington is in his first postseason push.
But through one round of action, both goalies look focused and determined. And, considering the reliance put on their shoulders by both teams, they will have to keep it up. One slip-up by either could decide the series, so keep an eye on the two creases as this thing gets underway.
A Special Teams Battle
While the focus will largely be put on Bishop and Binnington, the series could also be drastically affected by special teams. And with both teams possessing a strong part and struggling part in their special teams department, the battle could be all the more influential.
The Stars put together a clinic on their penalty kill in the opening round against the Predators. Dallas was a perfect 15-for-15 on the PK, not allowing the Predators a single power play goal. They were structured in the defensive zone and played with a frustrating pace, never really allowing the Predators to set up and get a chance going on the man advantage. And while Nashville did boast the worst power play in the NHL during the regular season, credit must still be given to the Stars for shutting them down at big moments throughout the series.
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Pucks and Pitchforks
Their power play, however, could have used a little polishing. Dallas went 4-for-22 on the PP during the six games in round one, rounding their percentage out at 18.2 percent. While that may not seem bad, it’s important to remember that they went 3-for-6 on the man advantage in Game 4 when they trounced the Predators 5-1. When you don’t include that one red-hot performance, the Dallas PP went 1-for-16 (6.25 percent).
Meanwhile, the Blues posted a rough 11-for-14 showing (78.6 percent) on the PK in round one against a high-flying Winnipeg power play. They made up for it on the power play, however, by going 5-for-19 (26.3 percent). They have the shooters and offensive powerhouses to put together a strong power play effort and did just that against a struggling Jets penalty kill.
And that’s where these two second-round forces could clash. For the Dallas Stars, their perfect penalty kill will be challenged by a surging St. Louis power play. On the other hand, the Stars power play has an opportunity to step it up against a struggling St. Louis PK.
The opportunities are there for both clubs to use special teams to their advantage. Certain games and the series as a whole could end up being determined by how each team can do shorthanded and on the man advantage.
Keep an eye out whenever the whistles blow and players head for the box. It might just end up being the extra weight that tips the scales one way or the other in a given game.
The Captain Of The Dallas Stars
Let’s talk about Jamie Benn for a moment.
When you survey the NHL and ask different players who they cannot stand playing against, one of the common answers is the Dallas captain. That’s because Benn often mixes his speed and skill with his size to become a physical and often uncontrollable force on the ice. He can score goals, play on both special teams units, win face-offs, lay out vicious hits, and get under the skin of the opposition.
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Puck Prose
And while he can do that well against any team, he does it all particularly well against the St. Louis Blues.
In 39 career regular season games against the Blues, Benn has 39 points (19 goals, 20 assists). That includes a +14 rating, two hat tricks (including one on March 2, 2019), and 37 penalty minutes (which includes a few fights here and there).
Simply put: he doesn’t seem to like the Blues very much, but certainly relishes playing against them, especially on a big stage.
Just look at his recent past playing against the team. The hatred that he and former Blues captain David Backes built for each other. Scoring the game-winner in an overtime contest in St. Louis the day after Rich Peverley‘s incident in 2014. Sitting on Blues captain Alex Pietrangelo in a game in March 2018 after the two collided with each other near the boards.
Blues fans don’t cater to Benn much, and that’s okay; that’s what rivalries are all about. But that’s also where Benn can really make an impact in this series.
In the first round against Nashville, Benn played a critical role in helping the Stars along. He scored one goal and tallied six points along with a +3 rating and 22 shots on net. His presence was also felt on the physical side as he laid out 14 hits.
If he can keep his postseason hot streak rolling and bring it to the Blues (a team that he always finds a way to show up against), he could play a big role in putting the pressure on St. Louis.
Next. Gearing Up And Preparing For Stars' Round Two Action. dark
This is just a handful of the likely many things that you will want and need to watch for as this intriguing series kicks off. The Dallas Stars are heading back to St. Louis for postseason hockey for the first time in almost three years.
Here we go.