Following three consecutive losses in a pivotal stretch, the Dallas Stars are hoping for a bounce back to conclude regular season play. As crunch time begins, Dallas will look to secure a wildcard spot in what will be their last chance at playoff seeding. With the Vegas Golden Knights only two points back, their faceoff on Tuesday at the American Airlines Center will prove crucial in deciding this year’s post-season contestants.
Posting a 43-30-5 record, Dallas has displayed inconsistent play throughout the season. Accumulating only six goals while giving up 16 in this current losing streak, the Stars need to regroup quickly. Expect them to try and get back to the gritty, defensive style of hockey that carried them to the 2020 Stanley Cup Finals. With a wildcard spot on the line, the Stars will look to rebound from this recent slump quickly.
Be sure to check out the rest of our NHL content.
Pavelski & Robertson Lines
Some teams provide the least likely standouts. This season, the Stars would fall in that category. Seeing your oldest player in only his third season with the team become such a pillar is an anomaly. Similarly, having a star forward ignoring the idea of a sophomore slump is also rare to see. Impressively, Joe Pavelski and Jason Robertson have combined for more than 50% of Dallas’ goal scoring in 2021-2022. It is uncommon to see this level of production from players on polar opposite sides of their careers on the same roster.
Pavelski and Robertson have taken it upon themselves to carry the load. Reaching 75 points scored for only the third time and 50 assists for the first time in his 16-year career, Pavelski has been on a tear. Veteran leadership has always been important to the Star’s front office, and his play is reason enough to buy into that theory. Robertson has had a breakout year, closing in on 40 goals and 40 assists for the season. His play has bolstered him to the top of the proverbial totem pole in the locker room. Look for the two to make a statement in these closing contests.
A Defining Homestand
As the season draws to a close, the Stars have situated themselves in a win-or-go-home scenario. Failing to secure a point in a 4-2 loss to the Calgary Flames on Thursday, Dallas currently sits at 91 points. With only four games remaining, their biggest test will begin Saturday against the Seattle Kraken. Stars fans will be on the edge of their seats this week, awaiting the drama to commence. This final homestand will determine the fate of this year’s squad and will surely make for exciting hockey. Knowing post-season play can bring about the craziest outcomes, the hockey world will be on standby as Western Conference seeding unfolds.
Looking Ahead
The Stars will face the Kraken on Saturday in what has to be considered a must-win game for Dallas. Seattle currently posts a 26-44-6 record with not much to play for in regards to the post-season. Expect the environment to be ripe for playoff-style hockey with the typical rowdy Texas crowd at the AAC. Following Saturday’s contest with Seattle, the Stars will finish the season against Vegas, the Arizona Coyotes, and the Anaheim Ducks. Most would consider three of the four guaranteed wins, but nothing in the NHL is promised. If the boys in victory green can muster up the will, the playoffs are just on the horizon.
Check us out on our socials:
Twitter: @PTSTNews and @TalkPrimeTime
Facebook Page: Prime Time Sports Talk
Join our Facebook Group: Prime Time Sports Talk
Instagram: @primetimesportstalk
Follow Mike Quintero on Twitter @MikeInFortWorth
Main Image Credit: Embed from Getty Images
