Dallas Stars fans can rejoice because today, Jan. 22, 2021, they can finally say “The Stars play today.”
The offseason has been long as the Stars return to the ice for the first time since September. They will start their 2020-21 campaign at home against the Nashville Predators. Here is a look at the team and the current situation.
Today was actually supposed to be the home-opener, not the season-opener. Their first 4 games were postponed because 17 players on the Stars contracted Covid-19. They will have to make up their games later. Several teams already played 5 games so the Stars sit in 31st place.
Tyler Seguin and Ben Bishop are out for several months because of injuries. These 2 leave a sizable gap in the lineup that needs to be filled. Goaltender Anton Khudobin is expected to start between the pipes in front of a cheering crowd at the American Airlines Center. Khudobin has a lot riding on his shoulders but he has proven that it’s nothing he can’t handle. Expect a roar from the stands as his name is called.
Photo: Dallas Stars/Facebook5,000 fans will be allowed into games with social distancing protocols. These fans should be raucous in welcoming the team back in front of a crowd for the first time since Mar. 10, 2020.
The team’s recent run to the Stanley Cup Final is sure to rile up the arena as they show their appreciation for the effort they displayed throughout the playoffs.
Emotions flowed as the playoff documentary showed Jamie Benn as the last to leave the locker room after being eliminated by the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final. Benn will lead the team this season alongside temporary Alternate Captain Joe Pavelski. Pavelski got the “A” on his chest while Seguin is out. He showed leadership and the veterans of this team are ready to begin the next chapter in Stars history.
Joel Kiviranta and Denis Gurianov were playoff heroes last year. Alongside Miro Heiskanen, the youngsters on the team are ready for a bright future.
The last time the Stars played at the AAC was 318 days ago. Hockey is finally here and Stars fans are ready to cheer loud for their team in appreciation for what they’ve accomplished.
The old saying goes “Be Loud, Wear Green, Go Stars!”
Featured Image: Dallas Stars/Facebook
