How Three Straight WCF Appearances Hurt the Dallas Stars
Over the last few years, it’s been a lot of fun being a Dallas Stars fan.
Three out of the last four years, the Stars have seen more playoff wins than losses, including many overtime and game seven thrillers.
However, the price of enjoying the past 50 or more win seasons has been heartbreak, frustration, or both each time.
For 2026, the Stars’ season didn’t make it to May.
After bowing out in the first round vs the Minnesota Wild this season, much more frustration and uncertainty than positivity at the moment.
It’s also not just the Stars suffering the consequences of shorter seasons after consecutive deep playoff runs.
The Edmonton Oilers were eliminated by the Anaheim Ducks that same night. The two-time Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers missed the playoffs.
Injuries Multiply and Amplify
It’s no secret that all NHL teams go through injuries. It’s a tough and physical game. The more you play, the more injuries you get. The Stars’ past three seasons tacked on close to two months of playoff hockey with those deep playoff runs. It always catches up.
There are also guys on the team like Miro Heiskanen, Roope Hintz, and Mikko Rantanen who were playing but weren’t 100%. The Winter Olympics contribute to this adversity as well. Even before the Winter Games in Italy, the Stars were already dealing with burnout from the past three seasons, like when it was announced that Tyler Seguin was done for the year.
Significant Drainage on the Roster
Whether it’s injuries or noticeable fatigue, there were Stars players who looked tired. Jake Oettinger is one of the most obvious ones. It was a team-wide factor. Perhaps a longer off-season will be a blessing in disguise for the Stars. Heading into October to start the 2026-2027 season in five months.
Thomas Harley is another one who was surely dealing with some kind of burnout. Not only has he been with the Stars over the past three seasons, but he was also on Team Canada during their silver-medal run at the Winter Olympics in Italy in February.
Dallas played the third-most playoff games in the previous three years, behind only Edmonton and Florida. It’s not just the guys who played healthy that were playing fatigued.
Guys like Heiskanen and Rantanen played at about 60% while not only tired but also from previous injuries.
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Categorized:Stars