Dallas Stars hockey is finally back this week, with preseason action on Sunday.
We are getting closer to the month when hockey games actually count.
October is the big month in a hockey season. Teams kickstart their campaign after building over the last several months.
October 12 is the home opener against the St. Louis Blues for game number 1 of 82.
Preseason hockey is coming up fast, then blooms the regular season.
Fourteen games are upcoming throughout the end of October, with 7 of those being the regular season.
Preseason
The Stars get underway on the 2023-2024 season down in Cedar Park near Austin. They play the Coyotes at a neutral site game at the Stars’ AHL affiliate. Seven games are up on the preseason schedule.
In addition to the one game against the Coyotes, the Stars also have 2 each against St. Louis, Colorado, and Minnesota. There is a little break before the season really starts.
Home Opener
Game number 1 is on Thursday, October 12, against the St. Louis Blues. This home opener will mark 30 years and 1 week since the Stars started in Dallas. The Blues are a familiar opponent with a long history against the Stars. The Blues bookend the season for the Stars, playing them in games 1 and 82 at the American Airlines Center.
This game is the first official look at a highly-anticipated team. It is the first game since Game 6 of the Western Conference Final. Speaking of the Western Conference Final, the Golden Knights are giving the Stars a test early on in the season.
Rest of October
The Stars have 4 days off after the first game. An early season test is coming at the hands of the defending Stanley Cup Champions. Chances for revenge for ending their season last year are an early motivator.
Vegas ended the Stars’ season last year on the way to their first Stanley Cup in franchise history. 5 out of the 7 games next month are against non-playoff teams from last season.
October is an interesting schedule with lots of travel miles.
The team plane will go through it with a long swing from Anaheim > Dallas > Pittsburgh> Dallas.
Every offseason is a long absence from hockey. Stars hockey is approaching rapidly on a promising season. October is the first of many months of hockey coming up.
Hockey is almost here, and it will stay for a while.
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