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When is it time for Pete DeBoer to reunite Pavelski and Sons together?

By Brian Sweet |
Mar 11, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Dallas Stars forward Roope Hintz (24) celebrates with teammates forward Joe Pavelski (16), defenseman Gustav Olofsson (23) and forward Jason Robertson (21) after scoring a goal during the second period against the Seattle Kraken at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Brashear-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 11, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Dallas Stars forward Roope Hintz (24) celebrates with teammates forward Joe Pavelski (16), defenseman Gustav Olofsson (23) and forward Jason Robertson (21) after scoring a goal during the second period against the Seattle Kraken at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Brashear-USA TODAY Sports

For most of this year, the Stars have been blessed to have one of the top lines throughout the entire NHL. Pavelski and Sons which consisted of Jason Robertson, Joe Pavelski, and Roope Hintz have put up ridiculous numbers this season. It has caused opposing coaches to snap their clipboards because they can’t figure them out. They have even gotten attention from the national media on NHL Network and ESPN throughout the season. It has made Pete DeBoer’s first season with the Stars so much easier with these three on the ice.

Pavelski and Sons: What’s the issue?

Now that the Stars are in the second round of the playoffs, one of those players is having a hard time trying to figure out how to score. Jason Robertson put up a storybook stat line with Joe Pavelski and Roope Hintz this season scoring 46 goals and assisting on 63 others.

In the playoffs so far, he’s only scored two goals and five assists. That’s a pretty big significant drop-off for a player of Robertson’s caliber. The reason why Pavelski and Sons aren’t together right now is in game 1 of the series against the Wild, Pavelski had to leave the game due to a concussion. Tyler Seguin was moved up to the top line to fill his spot.

Pavelski and Sons: When do you go nuclear and reunite them?

Right now, for the most part, the Stars are doing better with them separated. It gives the Stars at least three productive lines to keep their playoff foes on their toes. I could see the lines not changing unless the Stars get to the Western Conference Finals. We won’t be getting an easy opponent next round if the Stars advance. We would be taking on the Edmonton Oilers or the Vegas Golden Knights.

Reuniting Pavelski and Sons for the next round if the Stars for the Western Conference Finals wouldn’t be a bad idea. I think if Pavelski is still on a goal-scoring streak, it might be wise to see if it could kindle Robertson’s scoring which has gone missing in the playoffs. If it’s not working after a couple of periods, DeBoer could always go back to Hintz-Seguin-Robertson on the top line.

Pavelski and Sons: Conclusion

I know you guys didn’t like my stance on Twitter last night and you are entitled to your opinions. I also know that playoff hockey is a different type of game and some players can adjust to it while others don’t. I just don’t want to see Jason Roberton be remembered as “Regular Season Robertson” by the end of his career with the Dallas Stars.

I know he’s got the scoring within him. If he can start scoring more in the playoffs, it would make us such a threat to win the Stanley Cup this season. I trust Pete DeBoer will make the right call when reuniting our top line. I just hope the time when he reunites them it’s not too late.

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