NHL hockey is finally back with the Dallas Stars winning on opening night. The Stars sit on top of the league with a 1.000 points percentage. It’s way too early to start looking at the standings but it’s nice to get an opening night win via the shootout. The Stars will need to fire on all cylinders with their upcoming schedule with an important early game coming tonight. Tuesday night is their first big test with a rematch against the team that knocked them out of the playoffs. The Vegas Golden Knights await the Stars then it’s off to the races against a bunch of Eastern Conference teams.
Opening Night
October hockey returns with a Stars win on opening night. Jamie Benn netted the only regulation goal but Jason Robertson and Matt Duchene scored in the shootout for the win. The Stars got back to their offensive ways even though the score line didn’t show. Jordan Binnington stood on his head for lots of great scoring chances otherwise the score is different. Outshooting the Blues 34-24 displayed the offensive prowess this team is capable of. Chances aplenty in overtime didn’t provide the game-winner but the shootout did. The Stars are now 1-0-0 but their biggest test comes against the Vegas Golden Knights.
Upcoming Schedule
Playing the team that knocked you out of the playoffs is always a chance for revenge. The Stars make a trip to Las Vegas to play the defending Stanley Cup Champions early in the season. The Stars made a series out of it while losing in Game 6 after going down 0-3. Chances for revenge provides a huge upbeat for morale with a win on Tuesday night. An opportunity shows itself Tuesday night to show what this early team is made out of.
After Vegas is another road game against the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday. That’s the last the Stars will see of the Western Conference for the rest of the month. The Stars bounce between home and the road with a plethora of games against Eastern Conference teams. Seeing the likes of Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Toronto, and Columbus shows off the potential for intra-conference play against teams they only see twice per season, or more.
This long break of 4 days after the first game of the season is over. The Stars have the fewest games played as they are the only team with one under their belt. The biggest test is against the Golden Knights with more games on the upcoming schedule. Enjoy October hockey while it lasts because this month is for the team to get their feet wet. November is an entirely different animal with lots of hockey ahead.
Photo Credit: Dallas Stars X
