Reflecting on the Dallas Stars season (great news for the future)

It’s been almost a month since the Dallas Stars season came to an end. Losing in six games to the Vegas Golden Knights is still something I’m trying to wrap my head around. On hand, Vegas was a great team this year. They were the number one team in the Western Conference for a reason.

On the other hand, though, it feels like a complete letdown for the Stars. Don’t get me wrong, I know this is a complete asinine way of looking at things. They lost in game seven of the first round a year ago.

Now, the Dallas Stars were two games away from the Stanley Cup Final. I think the reason for the letdown is how they lost the series. Losing two games in overtime to start the series was disappointing but it is what it is. In game three and game six, the team had a complete meltdown and that’s what I’m having a hard time with.

What if they had shown up? What if they had played the way they know how to play?

How should we grade the Dallas Stars season?

Despite the playoff meltdown to the Knights, the Dallas Stars had a pretty darn successful season. The Dallas Stars finished with 98 points a year ago. This put them as the first wild card team ahead of Nashville.

For much of this season Dallas found themselves jockeying for the number one seed with Vegas. Quite the accomplishment from a season ago. This is why they were able to have home-ice advantage for the first two rounds of the playoffs.

One of the more impressive stats this year was goal differential. A year ago, Dallas was a minus eight in goal differential. They scored 238 and gave up 246. This season they were a plus 67 in goal differential with 285 for and 218 against. Only the Boston Bruins had a better goal differential in the league and they were at plus 128.

Once again the top line was ridiculous to defend against. Jason Robertson finished with 109 points. Joe Pavelski had 77 while Roope Hintz finished with 75. Miro Heiskanen had another phenomenal campaign on defense.

Dallas saw the of rookie Wyatt Johnston as well. The 19 year old finished with 24 goals and 41 points. Other youngsters like Ty Delandrea and Thomas Harley are showing promise for this team.

All-in-all, you have to say this was a successful season. I mean if I had told you at the beginning of the year that the Dallas Stars would lose in game six of the Western Conference Finals, you’d say that’s a success. So, in my opinion, we have to deem this season a success.

• Published on 06/25/2023 at 11:01 AM
• Last updated at 06/25/2023 at 11:01 AM