After a short preseason road trip, the Dallas Stars are back at the American Airlines Center tonight as they take on the Colorado Avalanche again. For those who were not able to watch it, the Stars fought back in the third to send it to overtime but ultimately lost the game. The Stars have definitely shown that they can rally back to force overtime or win the game during this preseason. Let’s take a look at the three keys of the game as the Stars take on the Avalanche tonight.
Dallas Stars vs. Colorado Avalanche Preview: 3. Finish the game in regulation
While seeing the Stars rally back to force overtime is exciting, I rather see them win the game in regulation. The Stars can easily do this if they come out of the gate strong and score goals early in the game to take the Avalanche out of it. In the last two games, the Stars have not come out of the gate strong after the opening puck drop. If they want to be a contender in the Western Conference, you have to win games in regulation. Overtime sometimes gives your opponent a boost of confidence to win the game.
Dallas Stars vs. Colorado Avalanche Preview: 2. Keep experimenting with the young guns
The other thing I would like to see happen is the Stars experimenting with the young guns. Logan Stnakoven and Mavrik Bourque have survived another round of roster cuts on Monday and it looks like they are impressing the coaching staff. I want to see both of our young superstars have new line partners for tonight’s matchup. Seeing them play with different players will give the coaching staff an indication of which players they could partner Bourque and Stankoven with.
Dallas Stars vs. Colorado Avalanche Preview: 1. Unleash the Otter for one period
The Stars also need to give their franchise goaltender Jake Oettinger some playing time tonight. I know he’s the last player that we want to see get injured but he needs at least a period of playing time. I don’t think the Stars want him to be super rusty for the home opener on October 12th. Giving him at least a period or two in some of the last preseason games should be the game plan for him this preseason.