Fansided

The Dallas Stars take on the Florida Panthers to start 2022

By Brian Sweet |
May 3, 2021; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger (29) blocks the shot of Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov (16) during the second period at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
May 3, 2021; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger (29) blocks the shot of Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov (16) during the second period at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

The Dallas Stars are finally healthy from COVID 19 and are ready to start 2022 off with a win against the Florida Panthers at home Thursday night. This will be the first game for the Stars since having to pause their season after Christmas due to the Omicron variant of COVID 19. Here is the scouting report for the Florida Panthers game tomorrow night in Dallas.

Dallas Stars vs Florida Panthers: 3. Give it your best effort

I know we probably won’t see the Stars skating at full strength tomorrow night since COVID can take a toll on the body. Some hockey players across the league take one or two games until they are skating back at full speed. It wouldn’t shock me with we saw most of the Stars look kind of sluggish tomorrow night against a fully healthy Panthers team.

Dallas Stars vs Florida Panthers: 2. Set the momentum early for the fans

Hopefully these full game scrimmages the Stars have been doing at practice help out tomorrow night. I want to see the Stars score first to get the crowd into the game. It would be cool to see since they haven’t played a game of hockey in the last two weeks. Scoring first sometimes can determine which team is ready to play and which one is thinking of the post game meal.

 Dallas Stars vs Florida Panthers: 1. Play the Taxi Squad since they are up here

The NHL brought back the COVID 19 Taxi Squad in December to help move the hockey season along. It would be nice to see the 6 players we were allowed to call up get some playing time. If Oettinger or Holtby need a rest one night, why not allow Scheel to get in there and play goal for a night. It will allow to see how he’s progressed down in Cedar Park and whether we need to resign Holtby for another year or two.

Florida Panthers to watch

Anthony Duclair

Duclair is their leading scorer for the Panthers so far this season with 13 goals through 25 games this season. He has really had a good year so far and I expect him to add onto it. I just hope he doesn’t add a highlight reel game against the Stars tonight.

Aleksander Barkov

Barkov is currently second in scoring for the Florida Panthers with 12 goals through 20 games played this season. I call him the “Silent Russian” since he doesn’t score as much but can make an impact on the ice every game he plays. Hopefully the Stars don’t get caught sleeping against him Thursday night.

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