Dallas Stars Not Shining So Brightly In 2016

Since the dawn of 2016, the Dallas Stars have shown a penchant for mediocrity that doesn’t bode well in their quest for an extended playoff run.

For the Dallas Stars, the 2015-16 campaign has been the tale of two seasons. The opening stretch from October through December saw them race out to a 28-8-3 record, which firmly ensconced them atop the NHL Western Conference and announced to the rest of the league that the upstarts from Dallas were here to stay. A lofty seed and a deep playoff run seemed like a reasonable expectation.

To be sure, the Stars haven’t been the soundest defensive team in the league for quite a while. But when the season started, they were at least getting league-average play from their defensemen and goaltenders. Coupled with their world-class offense, the wins piled up quickly.

However, since the calendar turned to 2016, more and more elements from last season have seeped into their game. This team simply hasn’t been able to outscore their problems like they were in the 2015 leg of the schedule. In their first thirty-nine games, they managed to hold the opposition to two goals or less a little over fifty percent of the time.

Since January 1st, the Stars have played twenty-four games (10-11-3). During that stretch, they’ve managed to hold their opponents to two goals or less in only seven of them, which translates to just under thirty percent. That’s a stark contrast, and it wholly explains why they’ve gone from really good to barely mediocre in in the interim. This team is struggling, and there’s really no way to sugar coat it.

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Dallas News beat writer Mike Heika sums up their struggles in an amusing piece laced with “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” references, but the overriding theme is clear: there is real reason for concern. The Stars’ have allowed six goals or more a league-leading nine times. All the money spent in the offseason trying to upgrade defense and goaltending isn’t yielding the expected results.

After Thursday’s thorough shellacking at the hands of the lowly Winnipeg Jets, the Stars slipped to 23rd in goals against average and 20th in save percentage. This fall has no doubt been exacerbated during their most recent swoon. In losing five of their last six, they’re allowing a rotund 4.5 goals against. The back end is a mess, and the net minders haven’t been able to clean it up.

Yes, there are plenty of reasons to remain positive. An NHL Central Division championship is in play. The Stars currently have eighty-two points, which is good for second most in the Western Conference. A high seed in the Stanley Cup playoffs is still in the cards. But the fact remains that this team has had a very rough couple of months lately. Anyone who follows this team closely knows what’s ailing this squad.

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In any event, the always-dangerous Detroit Red Wings skate into American Airlines Center tonight. Nineteen regular season games remain for the Stars to fix their problems. They can start by taking care of business against the Wings and building little momentum.