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Most of the talk about the Vegas Golden Knights, Dallas Stars matchup has been about Dallas dethroning the defending champs. As well as Dallas exacting revenge, and many NHL fans happy seeing Vegas lose due to their use of the “LTIR loophole.”
There is another story like that has been either ignored, or simply overlooked. And thats Stars’ head coach Pete DeBoer on the winning handshake line for the first time in three playoff meetings in five years. Having coached both teams, Deboer was finally a winner when these rivals out west clashed.
2020 WCF
In the first chapter of the Deboer connection between the two rivals, the Stars took the conference finals in five games. While the Golden Knights appeared to outplay Dallas every game, Vegas had an issue with finishing in four of five bouts.
It was former Stars’ goalie Anton Khudobin who stole the series where the games played doesn’t do how competitive the series was justice. The Golden Knights couldn’t score on Dobby. That goaltending brought the Stars time to score game winning goals in game two, and game five for the Stars to win. Especially when the game went past 60 minutes.
2023 WCF (switching sides)
Likely the most frustrating postseason loss among the three meetings personally for Deboer. Three years after seeing his team in Vegas fall to Dallas in five, Deboer found himself coaching Dallas in a loss in six games against his old team. Salt on the wound, the Golden Knights front office fired him the year before. It was a result when the Stars beat out Vegas for a wildcard spot in the playoffs in 2022. Vegas didn’t make the dance that year.
Heading into the 2024 season, Deboer had a simple message for his players. Less for more. A battle cry that has been all over social media since the end of the regular season. Where all players put team before padding stats. Turning the Stars into a 52 win team, best in the west, and a deep team at every position that’s a threat to anybody they face this postseason.
2024 WCQF
Last year’s playoff was probably the worst matchup of these two rivals. However, this was the best of the matchups without debate for the coach. Nobody on the Dallas bench wanted this series more than Deboer. Even if it was ‘just the first round,’ a dragon was slayed for the coach.
While Deboer, and his Stars are moving on to round two that series vs Vegas was an iconic one. Filled with many story lines for Stars fans to feast on for years to come. Not a bad outcome, or one for hindsight for round one. Especially when your coach improves to a personal 8-0 record in game seven.
With the Dallas Stars, and the Vegas Golden Knights are going seven games we’re going to look back on one of the most iconic moments in franchise playoff history. This Sunday May 5th, Stars fans remember one of the most iconic moments in franchise history. 16 years ago, the Stars faced the San Jose Sharks in round two of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
The game
It was game six of the western conference semi finals. The Sharks had just tallies off two straight wins after the Stars took an early 3-0 series lead. Trailing in the third period 1-0 with their season on the line, San Jose tied it up with a goal in the third period that would force overtime. With the Sharks hoping to force game seven in San Jose, and the Stars wanted to put away their old Pacific division rivals away at the AAC.
Through another 60 minutes aka three overtimes, the score remained tied at one. So it was onto the fourth overtime after the rivals played the equivalent to two games. On the power play is where the magic occured. Brenden Morrow, the captain of the Stars of the time, sealed the game with one shot. Blowing the roof off during the overnight hours in Dallas, and giving fans who couldn’t stay awake for the finish a pleasant surprise when they first woke up.
Razorisms
It of course was Stars’ color commentator, Daryl Reaugh who launched the slogan for that series clinching goal. After Morrow hopped on the rebound, Reaugh gave the shot a title that’ll be remembered by Stars fans for many years to come.
From shouting larceny when a goalie makes an incredible save to take on this Sunday, Reaugh has a knack for giving Stars’ highlights an appropriate title. Giving Stars fans more material during conversations outside of the games. We definitely could not go without giving Razor the credit for his razorisms.
Dallas Stars’ lore
That series clinching goal is one of the most relived moments in Stars’ history. Even during the 2016 playoffs vs the St. Louis Blues, Morrow’s goal makes headlines again. No way was there not going to be an article reminiscing about the 2008 overtime winner. Even when somebody eight years later was chalking up a winner in extra time of their own. And of course it also occurred on May the 5th.
In 2016, Morrow retired as a Star calling it an NHL career. After finishing 2015 as a Stanley Cup finalist with the Tampa Lightning, Morrow retired in Dallas with no regrets, and little left on the ice.
Three games into the series with the Vegas Golden Knights, the Dallas Stars are currently down 2-1. The seven game series started out ugly with two losses at home. Taking to the road with alot of questions, the Stars cut into Vegas’ series lead heading into Monday, April 29th. At the fortress, the Stars have taken (at least) one of two must win games.
Heading into tomorrow night, the Stars have a few guys who need to step up, and continue doing what they’re doing.
Guys who need to step up
If the Stars are going to win this series, Jake Oettinger in particular needs to be better. Going back to last year’s playoffs, the Golden Knights have had Oettinger’s number. Jake did finally get a win vs Vegas last night with a great performance in net. He’s gonna have to play like that three more times for his Stats to move onto round two. It’s a tall order, but it’s not impossible.
At the time, Oettinger has stepped up. But another must win in enemy territory awaits him and the team.
Roope Hintz have seemed mostly absent from these playoffs. Which is especially bad news for the Stars since he’s usually among team leaders in postseason goals, and points. You can give Vegas credit for playing great team defense, but for Dallas if winning the Stanley Cup is a priority this flat out isn’t good enough against anybody.
Joe Pavelski’s veteran goal scoring has been sorely missing vs Vegas. Logan Thompson has brought it for Vegas in net every game so far. But to win in the playoffs the best players, and your vets need to shine. We’ll see if Pavelski, and the Stars can take the momentum from an ot win and ride it to tomorrow night’s tilt.
Not everybody went MIA
Jason Robertson has probably been the most effective in this playoff series who is wearing green. He scored in the first two games of this series, and he potted two assists last night too. So he’s scored every game so far against a hot goalie. Putting questions about past playoff appearances to bed during this young series.
The young guys have been effective against the Golden Knights. Wyatt Johnston, who has delivered all year for Dallas netted two last night. Logan Stankoven has played alright this postseason too. Despite not showing up on the score sheet just yet. Coming off of a rookie of the year campaign in the AHL, he’ll be favorite to win the Calder trophy in the NHL next year.
Game 4 tomorrow night
In the here and now, the Stars trail this best of seven series 2-1. To tie the series it’s going to require a full team effort for 60 minutes or more. Coming off an overtime win in enemy territory, the momentum is in the Stars’ favor. Now it’s about the details, building on Saturday night, and they should probably play like they’re down three games to one too.
Miro Heiskanen is underrated. The planet earth is also round. It’s something that everyone who follows, and understands the game already knows. When you’re a fan of the Dallas Stars it’s a fun reality to revisit, and can be a bit annoying at times. Nevertheless, Heiskanen is the NHL’s best defensemen that doesn’t get the Norris trophy consideration.
Shutdown defense
In terms of offensive defensemen, Cale Makar is the best in the game. But if you’re asking for somebody to defend Connor McDavid or Sidney Crosby, Heiskanen is your guy. Miro back checks, stick checks, skates as well as anybody, and on occasion he’ll throw a hit along the boards.
Earlier this year, the Stars had to do without Heiskanen for a little bit. They weren’t the same team. Giving up four or more goals in that early January three game skid highlighted how valuable Heiskanen is to team defense. The Stars helped themselves two months later with that fact by signing Chris Tanev. But Miro is still the number one man on team defense. Arguably on the whole team too.
More with 4
How well would Dallas be playing without Miro in the lineup this year? That is a question that Stars fans never want to have to answer. Fortunately it’s nothing to worry about since Heiskanen is healthy. But it does add perspective just how valuable he is to this team.
While we’ve talked about Heiskanen’s fundamentals on defense and skating, he scores too. On the deepest offensive team in the league, Heiskanen finished seventh in team scoring. Tallying 54 points on 9 goals, and 45 assists in 71 games. While pundits would’ve liked to see more offense from Heiskanen, his team still won 52 games. Heiskanen s order when he had to.
Best player on the best in the west
Looking back four years ago, lets not forget Heiskanen’s brilliance in the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs. Fast forward to 2924, Heiskanen is the engine of the Dallas machine that won the western conference this past week. As long as he’s healthy, the Stars have a legitimate chance at playing in June.
If we’re talking potential Conn Smythe nominees in Dallas, Heiskanen’s name will be along side Wyatt Johnston, Joe Pavelski and Jake Oettinger. One might think we’re getting ahead of ourselves thinking about this. However, if Dallas does win their second Stanley Cup it makes these conversations more fun looking back.
For three consecutive years, the Dallas Stars are a Stanley Cup playoff team. As the old saying goes in the playoffs, you need your best players to be your best players. The Stars might be the deepest team in all of the NHL. Today we are looking at two forwards, a damn, and a goaltender who can catapult Dallas deeper into postseason play.
Jake Oettinger
Starting with the goalie, Jake Oettinger appears to have put inconsistent play behind him. Just in time for the playoffs, Oettinger has been playing his best hockey of the season. Dallas doesn’t quite need him to be the 2007 edition of Marty Turco. If otter continues to play like he has been since March, the Stars might be adding cup number two after June.
One person who believes in Oettinger no matter the ups, and downs is Oettinger himself. His self confidence has spearheaded his best play of the season as 2024 winds down. Otter’s great play in net includes consecutive shutouts, and 34 wins with one game left in the season.
Miro Heiskanen
Looking back at the playoffs back in 2020, Miro Heiskanen was the Stars’ best player when they last made it to the Stanley Cup finals. If Dallas would’ve been able to shell out two more wins that year, Heiskanen was your Conn Smythe winner.
While this season Heiskanen hasn’t scored as many points as many would of expected, it hasn’t hurt the team in collecting wins this year. As of late, Heiskanen has been heating up offensively. A good sign for Stars fans. Today vs the Seattle Kraken, Heiskanen contributed on every goal scored by Dallas in their central division clinching win.
Wyatt Johnston
The leader in goals scored needs to be one of the best for Dallas, too. Wyatt Johnston would be putting up ridiculous numbers if he were playing for a basement dweller such as the Chicago Blackhawks (aside from maybe the plus minus stat). Still hard to believe for some that he didn’t win the Calder trophy last year.
The Stars are happy to have him. At only 20 years of age, Johnston can jumpstart the Stars this postseason. Like Nick Suzuki with the Montreal Canadians in 2021 when they went on their Cinderella Stanley Cup finals run.
Joe Pavelski
Perhaps the most deserving amongst the Stars roster of a championship is Joe Pavelski. Adding a Stanley Cup ring would be a perfect addition to a future hall of fame career that Pavelski is having. We don’t know when Pavelski will retire. Turning 40 later this year, Pavelski will be more determined to win the elusive championship ring.
Playing on a line with Roope Hintz and Jason Robertson, Pavelski looks to capture his playoff form like he had back in 2020. The deeper the run, the more you rely on your veteran players to pull through when the lights shine the brightest.
Ommissions
With the many,many weapons at the disposal of Deboer, the Star who shines the brightest might not be one of the four aforementioned guys. Thomas Harley, Logan Stankoven, and Mat Duchene could break through and lead the Stars into June. The captain Jamie Benn is also playing his best hockey of 2024.
Oettinger is the starter, but if he were to miss time due to injury or struggling in net, Scott Wedgewood stepping in isn’t entirely unlikely. Back in 2020, Anton Khudobin led the Stars into the Stanley Cup finals four years ago when Ben Bishop got hurt.
While teams like the New York Rangers, Colorado Avalanche and the Boston Bruins grabbing most of the headlines there’s another team that doesn’t match that mainstream attention. Sure, the Dallas Stars are talked about a bit more often now since they’re currently leading the west. If not for that, and their franchise winning streak we’d barely hear a whiff about Dallas.
The Avalanche, Edmonton Oilers, Vegas Golden Knights, and even the basement dwelling Chicago Blackhawks led by rookie Connor Bedard gain the most attention out west. While national attention inevitably gravitates more towards other teams, the Stars want to one thing; win.
#TexasHockey
Teams that get the most media attention are the likes of the original six teams like the Bruins, and the Rangers. As well as the more commercial driven teams led by two of the most iconic players of their generation. Such as Sidney Crosby’s Pittsburgh Penguins, or Alexander Ovechkin’s Washington Capitals.
Hockey in the south, to be honest, isn’t the same as it is up north where there’s much more ice and snow. Naturally the attention follows. Not that the weather differences have prevented Dallas from turning into the hockey town that it is to this day. Since the 1990s, ice rinks, and people playing hockey in the Dallas/Fort Worth area continue to rise.
An eight game winning streak is the franchise record. While it doesn’t quite match the 1993 Pittsburgh Penguins, the Stars are more concerned with winning 16 games after April 17th. It was still enough to push Dallas to two wins shy of the 50 win mark with five games left in the regular season.
Everybody’s underrated
Not only does hockey in Texas get little mainstream attention, so do their players. Miro Heiskanen, Roope Hintz, and arguably Jason Robertson do not get talked about a lot. Even when you have somebody like Wyatt Johnston, who leads the Stars in goals, the media would much rather talk about other guys. Such as Cale Makar, who seems to be unanimously crowned the best defenseman for only his offensive skills.
Having a team that gets contribution across all lines of forwards, and defensemen is another reason why nobody in victory green gets a lot of talk. There are no big gaps between the top point getters in Dallas.
Team discipline
Another reason why the Stars don’t grab many headlines is a coaches favorite one. Dallas is the league’s least penalized team. No major controversies this year such as attempt to injure, blowups with the officials or in press conferences from anyone in victory green.
Somebody like Brad Marchand of the Bruins makes headlines too. Beyond going to the penalty box, and making the news weird. Everybody playing in Dallas have been like machines on the ice. Playing their roles, a team game, and results without spilling into the click bait headlines.
Since the arrival of the current victory green color scheme, and design we know today or even the Reebok takeover in 2007, many Stars fans hunger for the vintage look. Many Stars fans continue to hold onto their forest green, and gold jerseys to this day or buy throwbacks on sites such as eBay.
This is not to say there’s anything wrong with the team’s current design. The point is the Stars have fans that like both looks. You can have your cake, and eat it. Like so many other NHL teams who embrace both the modern and the classics.
The Modano statue
The latest reminder that the Stars cannot deny their roots was the unveiling of Stars’ legend Mike Modano. What are the colors on that bronze statue? Of course it was the legendary green, and gold with that cup winning logo.
Imagine the uproar if that statue on victory plaza ignored that classic look. With a history that includes a Stanley Cup title, there’s no way you can totally phase out such an iconic color scheme, and look.
Not saying Stars’ owner Tom Gaglardi, and the gang have something against the old look. But it’s clear that they’ve gone all in on the modern team colors. Most likely out of their own pride, and trying to establish what they see as a strictly Dallas identity.
Opportunities to make more dough
Stars’ owner Tom Gaglardi seems to be against bringing back the gold from Dallas’ NHL roots. Since he took ownership in 2013, there hasn’t been a trace of it. He’s been all in on the victory green, silver and black color scheme.
Back in 2021 as well as 2023, the NHL released reversed retros to recognize team, and city histories and traditions. While Dallas mirrored the classic design for the retro jerseys, the forest green and gold were absent. Showing that Gaglardi, and the gang have zero interest in that shade of green, and gold that came from Minnesota.
Why not incorporate the gold?
For all the love for the vintage logo and colors, there’s no hate for the current design. Best case scenario for the Stars is to keep the current home, and roads for today’s Dallas fans. While bringing in the classic look, and colors as an alternate for the older generation of Stars fans. You will also have fans on both sides of the isle happy.
For some reason, the Stars don’t seem interested in bringing back the gold. With respect to this fabulous alternate. There will inevitably be logistics, and other excuses Stars’ ownership could throw out to the public. But the NHL is ultimately in the business of entertainment. There’s no better way of entertaining the public by giving your fans what they want.
Next time the NHL releases a league wide reverse retros, or something along those lines Dallas should just go ahead and release a throwback jersey of that iconic color scheme, and design.
Jason Robertson, Jake Oettinger, Logan Stankoven, and Thomas Harley. A few names who have spent time in the AHL with the Texas Stars who have come up, and solidified their NHL roster spots. Not only have they become regulars for the Dallas Stars, they’re pushing the team towards a guaranteed playoff spot.
Grade A pipeline
The list of names above have come up to Dallas within only the last few years. Much like Stankoven there’s another guy down in Austin who’s tearing it up in scoring down in the minors, and his name is Mavrik Bourque. Combine Bourque’s production with the trend of young talent getting promoted up to Dallas you’d be hard pressed to find a Stars fan who isn’t excited for his NHL future.
Not only do the Stars have a history with prominent talent in the AHL ranks, they draft splendidly too. Year after year, the Stars are money every summer in the NHL draft. Stars’ scouting director Joe McDonnell knows how to land the right guys on the right team.
Showing promise in the AHL
In the American Hockey League, Bourque leads the AHL in overall points with 69. So far his career looks like its following in the steps of Stankoven. From draft pick with promise, to tearing it up in the minors. Next up is to get called up to the NHL, and to show what he can do.
While Bourque has yet to play a regular season game in Dallas, there’s no reason to think he won’t get his first game under his belt during the 2025 season. Biggest thing for Bourque right now is to ride the process, and continue to have patience. He see others like Stankoven who developed in the AHL, and he sees those same guys flourishing in the majors now.
One more upcoming weapon in Dallas
Bad news for the rest of the league is anytime Dallas is calling somebody up from Austin. Dallas recently bypassed a potential trade by pulling up Stankoven, and it’s paying off. The Stars could very well pull off the same card with Mavrik next year to boost their depth scoring.
Every year the Stars pull somebody up from Austin, the Stars find themselves with a deeper roster. Adding to why Dallas has become playoff regulars for the first time since the 2000s. The Stars haven’t been to the playoffs for three straight years or more in 16 years.
Something that seems to have become in the modern NHL; defensive defensemen. They’re certainly out there but overlooked, and undercovered. Chris Tanev is one of the most recognizable of that breed of defensemen after the Dallas Stars acquired him in a three way trade with the Calgary Flames, and the New Jersey Devils. Sealing up the Stars’ biggest need on the roster.
Playing with Vancouver and Calgary
Tanev made a name for himself while playing for the Vancouver Canucks from 2011 to 2020. He was part of that Canuck’s Stanley Cup Finals run in 2011. While they lost in seven games to the Boston Bruins that year, Tanev still adds that x factor as the Stars hope to advance to the final round for the second time in five years.
After a decade with the Vancouver organization, Tanev would spend close to the next four years with the Calgary Flames. Much like Jay Bouwmeester, Tanev has evolved into a more defensive defenseman as he’s gotten older.
His first 2 games in Dallas
While line shuffling is inevitable for many reasons, Tanev seems to have found a common spot on the second blue line. Playing alongside a fellow defensive defenseman in Esa Lindell. Solidifying a shutdown blue line to strengthen the Stars’ future playoff hopes.
Not only does Tanev play a blue collar, dirty defensive game he scores bombs from the blue line too. Making life frustrating for future opponents who have to worry about keeping yet another guy off the score sheet. Another compliment for an already deep, offensively potent team.
Other teams like the Colorado Avalanche, and Vegas Golden Knights made waves in the headlines for adding quantity. For the Stars it was the quality of additions to the team, as well as not losing anybody in return like Logan Stankoven. Yet another win for the 2023 GM of the year, Jim Nill and the Stars.
Upgrading playoff Stars
Defense wins championships. It’s an old cliche tossed around in all sports with a ring of truth. Come postseason time the game becomes more defensive oriented. With elimination, and the Stanley Cup on the line teams commit to more conservative play. The game gets greasier, more physical, and there’s more incentive to keep the puck out of your own net.
Dallas is a team that has the depth scoring, and a goalie in Jake Oettinger who’s eager to show he’s put past inconsistencies behind him. Improving the cracks in their defensive armor, the Stars see Tanev scoring too. Tanev looks to take the Stars places come spring, and summer time.
As the NHL season winds down, the Dallas Stars find themselves in a tight race for the central division. The Stars along with the Colorado Avalanche, and Winnipeg Jets are guaranteed for the playoffs, barring an unlikely collapse from somebody. Question is how will the three fare in the top three after game number 82. Today we’re going to look at how Dallas has done vs their central divisional adversaries in the central’s dead heat.
Grounding the Jets
On Thursday February 29th, the Stars played game three their four game season series with the Jets. Putting Dallas back in the win column. With one of two meetings this week in Dallas. The season finale on April 11th. With Dallas hoping to break out the brooms at the AAC. The potential of sweeping the regular season series vs former Dallas coach Rick Bowness’ team.
The meeting in Dallas on February 29th was another four point victory for the Stars. Stankoven scored his third goal in as many games, and continues to make his NHL case. Dallas has shown up to play a strong defensive game vs arguably the NHL’s best defense. With the scoring to solve one of the league’s best net minders in Connor Hellebuyck.
Frostbit vs Colorado
Playing the Avalanche this far has been a chore for the Stars. They lost both games in Dallas. Once in overtime. And blowing a three goal lead in the first meeting of the season. Dallas’ depth has not yet found an answer to Colorado’ front end talented roster.
So far in Denver, the Stars haven’t fared any better. The one highlight from a 5-1 drubbing was the play of the rookie Stankoven playing along side the sophomore Wyatt Johnston. To be fair, playing the Avalanche in Colorado on the second half of a back to back seems to be a scheduled loss for everybody.
Seemingly inevitable playoff implications
Lately, the Stars find themselves constantly shifting in the top three of their division. So you could say there’s a 66% chance they’ll play either Winnipeg, or Colorado in the first round of the playoffs. In one of those rugged two seed vs three seeded matchups. The other 33% would be one three to six other teams fighting for a wild card spot. While the top three in the central, despite the nightly shifting, is most likely fully booked.
Dallas has been unstoppable vs Winnipeg. The Stars have no answers for the Avs (right now). After that 82nd game, all records reset to zeros across the board. Whether the Stars a team they can’t seem to beat, or they haven’t lost to, a key trade was made that betters Dallas’ chances against anybody they draw in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Keeping in mind with that depth scoring, number one defenseman and goaltending they were already a threat to the rest of the NHL.
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