A Strong Defense: Dallas Stars Impressing on Defense as a Team
Despite a laundry list of injuries and some recent frustrating losses, the Dallas Stars have seen far more positives than negatives here in 2026.
One of the brightest marks in Dallas has been team defense.
The team’s blue line is among the league’s best, featuring one of the league’s best overall, offensive, and defensive defenseman.
Even with the team’s depth at defense, it’s not just those six guys on the ice making the team hard to score on. Centers and wingers also contribute to the defensive game. Both Jake Oettinger and Casey DeSmith contribute well to the defense stats between the pipes, too, giving the Stars a shot at a win and propelling the team to a playoff appearance year after year.
Starting Behind the Bench
Re-hiring Glen Gulutzan was a smart move by Stars general manager Jim Nill. Dallas’ record in the standings, despite a flood of injuries and obvious fatigue after spending the last three years in the Western Conference finals, proves that. Gulutzan has been able to push all the right buttons from up and down the lineup. Minus a few inevitable down nights that come with an 82-game schedule, the Stars have had one of the best defenses in the NHL all year.
Since Gulutzan left the Edmonton Oilers as an assistant coach, the Oilers have noticeably declined in their defensive play and structure this year. Gulutzan specializes in neutral zone defense in particular—one of the areas where the Stars have improved from prior years.
Best Hybrid in Today’s Game
In today’s NHL, you’re not going to find a better 200-foot defenseman than Miro Heiskanen. Forever underrated since he doesn’t score the most, and he doesn’t play for a traditional market team, the Stars reap the all-around benefits number four brings every night. From getting points to back-checking, Heiskanen solidifies Dallas’ team defense and helps to suffocate opposing offenses game to game. No real off nights to speak of.
Heiskanen is so dependable in every situation in the game; he’s well known for playing about half the game. The more impact you have, the more your coach makes you play. Heiskanen is like that one person at your job who not only does his own job but also fills in for other jobs for the company.
When Heiskanen is out of the Stars’ lineup, it shows. Overall, team defense takes a big step back. Stars GM Jim Nill wants him back on the ice after game number 82 ASAP.
Depth on the blue line
Dallas has all of the makings of a great blue line, from the top three lines to guys bouncing back and forth between the AHL’s Texas Stars.
Thomas Harley is one of the league’s best at scoring goals, if not making goals happen when he shoots from the blue line. Harley is also great at scoring goals when they matter the most, time after time.
Esa Lindell is arguably the best defensive defenseman in the NHL. His style of play won’t win you a Norris trophy. But he can block shots, kill penalties, and occasionally throw a hit. Lindell is the kind of player you want on the ice for the last five minutes of a game to hold onto a lead for the win.
Lian Bichsel exemplifies what many Stars fans know has been a shortcoming in Dallas in recent times. A physical presence, who he is (and recently signed Adam Ernie), led the Stars in hits. As Bichsel has gotten a little bit older, he will be 22 in May. Soon, Bichsel will grow into his full man strength in another year or two. Which is great for playing defense (i.e., hitting and blocking shots), and being an enforcer for the team.
Depth players such as defenseman Alex Petrovic and forwards such as Oskar Bäck have also contributed greatly to team defense.
It’s all five skaters, and not just two guys on the blue line.
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Categorized:Stars