After a 1-7-1 start, you can understand the hate towards the Dallas Stars, but having gone 26-8-3 since, where is the love?
Let’s all pretend we are surprised. The Stars never get any credit. They didn’t in 1999, they didn’t 2000 and didn’t get any in all for the last twenty years. Dallas is stacked with talent all across their roster that is filled with All-Stars, league veterans and young guns that can absolutely fly. This team is legit, so where is the credit?
Dallas is a small sports market and will never get the full love that they deserve from media, but don’t doubt the excitement and ability of this team.
Nashville and PK Subban did last year in the playoffs. This team feeds off of the underdog role and fights hard when they are put into a corner. They have a lot of fight for “a little guy”, but don’t tell Dallas Stars star goaltender 6’7” Ben Bishop that.
Dallas currently sits in 7th place in the entire NHL, 2nd in the Western Conference and 2nd in the Central Division standings. They are ranked in the Top 5 in the NHL in Penalty Kill Percentage and Faceoff Wins and are 7th in Power Play Percentage. If you look at just those numbers alone, you can tell that this team can play but add in their horrendous opening 9 games of the season, and that is even more impressive.
The Stars have allowed the fewest goals out of all teams so far this year, and both of their goalies are ranked in the Top 5 for Goals Against Average, with their second-string goalie Anton Khudobin with the best Save Percentage in the entire league. Just read that over again. That might be one of the most impressive feats in all of sports.
The Stars will always be overlooked and overrated, but maybe that works out in their favor.
So far this season, they have had 8 3rd Period comeback wins. It just fits their style. They are strong-willed and stick to their game plan, even after they’ve been hit in the mouth. You have to applaud the tenacity no matter where your loyalties lie.
Respected or not, the Dallas Stars are here to play.
Featured Image: Dallas Morning News