Stars look very impatient right now
Latest loss for the Dallas Stars reveals some glaring issues with offensive attack.
Tuesday evening’s 3-2 overtime loss for the Dallas Stars is a difficult one to handle. On paper, they should have won the game handily. They out-shot the Columbus Blue Jackets by a 38-28 difference, yet walked away with another loss.
The “Great One” himself, Wayne Gretzky once said, “You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take.” We hear salesmen quote that all the time. While it is generally true that you have to take shots on the opponent’s goal to score goals, there is something to be said about the old adage, “quality over quantity.”
Too many shots
There comes a point when shooting too often can be very detrimental to the team’s success. Shooting too soon can often be more damaging than not shooting. The Stars, themselves are a clear example of this.
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On the season, they’ve attempted just one less shot than their opponents. Yet, they’ve scored just 20 goals in nine games compared to the 29 they’ve allowed. Sure, they could play their chances a little better and shoot even more often. But that will likely just make the problem worse.
It’s like an MLB hitter that swings at everything. Pitchers, upon discovering this, will begin placing everything out of reach for the hitter.
Sure, he’ll still make contact from time to time. But in the end, his efficiency will suffer. Opponents will show a willingness to play the odds and make him chase.
It’s the same when an NHL team just starts hacking away at the goal. It makes the defense sit back and guard closely, forcing the offense to make longer shots. Sure, one or two may leak through. But again, the percentages still favor the defense.
Too many missed opportunities
Special teams have been another major problem for the Stars. Whether they’re on the power play or short-handed, they’ve simply been bad.
Following Tuesday night’s game, the Stars now sit at 26th in the NHL in penalty kill percentage at 75.3%. Perhaps that could be explained away a bit that it’s difficult to defend a team of five when you only have four. While they’re still below the league average in this respect, it’s at least slightly understandable. But it should be easier to score when your team is on the power play, right?
Not if you’re Dallas. They’re currently ranked 22nd in the league with an abysmal 13.2% scoring rate on power plays. They’ve got to play better with the man advantage.
With guys like Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin on the ice, scoring shouldn’t be the problem. But let’s add insult to injury, shall we?
The Stars are tied for the NHL lead in shorthanded goals allowed with two. Sure, it’s early in the season and the Stars are near the top of the league in number of power play opportunities with 38. The fact of the matter is, they’re not executing when they have the chance.
Too little patience
As a whole, it appears the Stars are pressing. When an opportunity to shoot presents itself, they’re taking the shot. Instead, they need to show some restraint and create a better opportunity.
Much like our fictional hitter we mentioned earlier, they need to wait things out and let the pitcher, or in this case the defense, make a mistake. When the pitcher hangs a slider belt-high, our hitter should unleash a beastly swing. When two defenders slide away to the left and leave a forward unaccounted for on the right, give him the open shot.
Next: Stars unable to get out of their own way
Ultimately, it comes down to one final Gretzky quote: “A good hockey player plays where the puck is. A great hockey player plays where the puck will be.” Anticipation and timeliness will go a long way for Dallas. But in the end, maybe it’s none of this. Maybe it’s just dumb luck and things will turn around soon.