Dallas Stars Hold Serve, Take 2-0 Lead To Minnesota

The Dallas Stars passed their first playoff tests with flying colors, but the real challenge starts tonight when the series shifts to St Paul, Minnesota.

The way the Dallas Stars played over the last month of the regular season suggested they were prepared to face the challenges of the grueling second season known as the Stanley Cup Playoffs. What wasn’t necessarily apparent, however, was just how ready the team was to get the party started.

The Stars came out on Thursday night and put on a clinic in a Game 1. The 4-0 final implies a one-sided affair, but had it not been for stellar play by Minnesota Wild goaltender, Devan Dubnyk, and a lethargic Dallas power play, the score could have gotten much more out of hand. Even then, by the time all-world captain Jamie Benn buried the empty net dagger, the festivities had long been underway.

Having been embarrassed in the opener, it was certain that the Wild would come out and throw everything they had at the Dallas Stars. True to form, Game 2 was a much tighter and intense affair. There was even Stars’ goal controversy on a wildly bizarre tally from left wing Antoine Roussel that stood up after video review. The visitors from Minnesota were undeterred, though, and continued to make the Stars fight for every inch of ice.

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The Dallas Stars bought themselves some breathing room when Jamie Benn scored a beautiful breakaway goal to put the team up 2-0 at the 10:23 mark of the 3rd period. The goal would prove vital, as the Wild scored a few minutes later and used the momentum to stage a furious and frantic rally. In the end, it fell short, and the Stars had their 2-1 win and 2-0 series lead in the bag.

Goal controversies and improved opposition play aside, the Dallas Stars are probably at a deserved juncture of this series. They did what they were supposed to do and won both of their home games. In doing so, they’re playing an outstanding brand of team hockey.

On offense, it’s been the status quo of defensemen joining the rush or pinching in and supporting the forwards. The defensive end is where they’re showing the most improvement, though. The forwards aren’t freelancing as they were apt to do earlier in the season. Thus, the Stars aren’t finding themselves out of position nearly as often.

Also worth noting is goalie Kari Lehtonen’s play. While largely unmolested in the Game 1 rout, he really stood out in Game 2. He was severely tested by a desperate Wild team on Saturday night, yet gave up only one goal. This came after he posted shutout hockey for the first 112:42 of the series. If he continues to play like this, the sky’s the limit for this team.

What it all translates to is a devastating 200-foot game that has mostly overwhelmed an undermanned Wild squad. The forward groups and defensive pairings are moving as a five man unit on the ice. Good coaching and overall team focus has been the rule for the past six weeks, let alone the past two games. It should be of little surprise that the Stars find themselves in this position.

The series now shifts to St. Paul, Minnesota tonight for what will surely be a hostile and suitably lubricated throng at Xcel Energy Center. As difficult as it was to close out Game 2 at home, Game 3 on the road should provide the stiffest test the Dallas Stars have faced in years.

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Also, for any Stars’ fans wanting to put up a “Mission Accomplished” banner, remember that the Wild were down two games to none in 2014 against the Colorado Avalanche. Minnesota ended up winning that series in seven. The Dallas Stars still have massive work to do, but if they play their game, a pass to the conference semifinals awaits.