After a rough 2002 NHL season where the Dallas Stars struggled with moving to a new arena, roster turnover, and Ken Hitchcock’s final season, 2003 brought the team back to being a playoff regular. Starting up another five year consecutive playoff run.
2003; back in business
With a new head coach behind the bench in Dave Tippett, the Stars themselves back in the playoffs picture. Finishing first in the Pacific once again, and first overall in the west. Dallas knocked off the Edmonton Oilers in the first round in six games. Beating Edmonton five times out of six in a seven year span. We may never know how good the Stars would’ve been that year if they could’ve solved J.S. Giguere, but the Stars fell to The Mighty Ducks Of Anaheim in six the following round. The most well-known bit of this era of Stars hockey was Aaron Downey’s one punch TKO of Carolina Hurricanes Jesse Boulerice.
Derian Hatcher also played his last season as a Star. Leaving for the Detroit Red Wings due to the business side of the game.
Signing onto the team in the summer of 2002 was Jason Arnott, and former Oiler/cult favorite among many Stars fans in Bill Guerin. While Guerin is currently the GM of the Minnesota Wild, and made some questionable decisions for Team USA, he’s still remembered well from his time with the Stars.
Marty Turco also took over the main starting goaltender as Ed Belfour left for the Toronto Maple Leafs. In his first full season as the starter, Turco got his name in the Vezina trophy discussion. Becoming one of the NHL’s best goaltenders.
2004; playoff streak official
Despite finishing second in the Pacific, and fifth overall in the west the Stars got back to a consecutive playoff streak. They would get dispatched by the Avalanche in five when they met in round one.
Mike Modano was also named team captain after Hatcher left. Turco continued to be one of the league’s best goalies.
For 2005 there was no NHL season. Otherwise we might be talking about a franchise best six year playoff streak for the Stars.
2006; reclaiming the Pacific crown
A year after the infamous full season lock out of 2005, the Stars would go onto capture what would go on to be their last Pacific division crown. Finishing second overall in the west. Despite a strong regular season, a lack of scoring (in particular in overtime) would cost the Stars as the Avalanche would win the first round in five games for a consecutive time.
After the lockout, the NHL implemented the shootout as part of its game. Shifting from a more physical, and defensive trap game aka the “dead puck era” to a game more focused on offense, speed, and skill. Shootout specialist Jussi Jokinen was the league’s best at the skills competition, as the Stars vaulted up the standings in part, thanks to the shootout.
2007; Turco finds another gear
Heading into the 2006-2007 season, Turco decided he had to improve his game in net for the team. Starting off the year with a hair cut from previous years. Turco had yet another season where he helped the Stars reach the 50 win plateau for a second straight year.
Despite three shutouts from Turco, the Stars lack of goal scoring would catch up to them. Falling in seven games to the Vancouver Canucks. This was also the year when Modano would be switched to an alternate captain, and Brendan Morrow would start wearing the C.
Fun facts: the AAC hosted the all-star weekend, and the legend Eric Lindros retired from the NHL wearing the Stars jersey.
2008; surprising run of the giant killer
After Turco put on a clinic in the Stars first round exit the year before, the Stars came into the 2007-2008 season on fire. Heading into February with the second best record in the west to Detroit, the Stars fell off a bit around the time they traded for Brad Richards. They finished fifth in the west, and third in a stacked Pacific division. That struggle in the last two months turned out to not be a concern in Dallas.
For the playoffs, the Stars would first meet the defending Stanley Cup champs, and one of the biggest/physical teams in the league; the Anaheim Ducks. Using their aggressive physical style against them as they beat the Ducks on the power play, and in six games.
Photo credit: Sportsnet/ca
Next up: the Sharks. Third in the Pacific vs the division champs. In six games, Cinco De Morrow happened as the Stars proved to be the best in the Pacific after all. Proving once again that the brain can beat brawn. Despite the breakthrough of playoff Turco, and the addition of Richards back in February, the Stars would fall to the eventual Stanley Cup champs in Detroit four games to two. Finishing their fifth consecutive playoff year run with a record of 10-8.
Featured photo: Noah Graham/Getty Images
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Categorized:Stars