The recent string of Dallas Stars games falls into the class of yearly traditions. For the past two years, the Stars have stumbled towards the back end of the season. With 7 games left, their playoff position is all but sealed. The Stars will play the Wild in the playoffs unless a miracle happens for either team. The only thing the Stars are playing for now is home ice advantage. Top players need a “rest” before the playoffs, not for fatigue but to reduce the chance of injuries. Their recent rough stretch is nothing to worry about. The playoffs are approaching with the Stars having the second-place spot nearly locked down.
Injury Problems
Hardly any team goes through the playoffs unscathed. Jason Robertson and Miro Heiskanen missed the entire first-round series against Colorado last season. The Stars beat the Avalanche in Game 7 thanks to the heroics of Mikko Rantanen late in that series. The Stars have taken quite the hit this season. Tyler Seguin will miss the remainder of the season with a torn ACL. Roope Hintz and several other players are week-to-week. Sam Steel, Michael Bunting, Nathan Bastian, and Tyler Myers are all currently out. Radek Faksa may miss additional time due to being on the injured reserve list. The playoffs start in over two weeks, meaning the Stars need all of their players.
Playoffs
The Stars will play the Minnesota Wild in the First Round unless a major change in standings occurs. The playoffs are a gauntlet of a competition. Players play through grueling injuries that mere mortals couldn’t dream about. Brett Hull scored the Stanley Cup-winning goal in 1999 while skating on a grade-three MCL tear on his left knee and a torn groin. He played over 25 minutes in that triple-overtime game. All roads point towards Colorado, Minnesota, or a Dallas Stanley Cup Final. These playoffs will take a lot out of players on either side. Only 8/28 players on the roster played more than 70 games this season for various reasons. It’s perhaps time to give them a rest by reducing their ice time before the playoffs start.
The time for panic is not quite here yet. Yes, the Stars have a plethora of injuries, but they are still a solid team. Their recent 1-4-2 record isn’t anything to worry about. They are playing desperate teams clinging to playoff hopes. The Stars will need to play at full strength for their best chances of winning. These playoffs have many teams capable of winning. High expectations from the Stars mean they need to fire on all cylinders.
Photo Credit: Sports Day Stars
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Tags: dallas stars Michael Bunting Mikko Rantanen Miro Heiskanen nhl Sam Steel Stanley Cup Playoffs tyler seguin
Categorized:Stars