I didn’t get to write many Afterwords last regular season. This was due to a variety of factors, but it mostly boiled down to 1) I was no longer able to reliably watch games live (the joys of new fatherhood), and 2) I couldn’t watch missed games on ESPN+ until 48 hours had passed, at which point it was often far too late for any relevant analysis. So I stuck mostly to games I attended in person or were nationally, leaving most everything on Bally Sports (which I did not have) on the cutting room floor. And even then I was fairly inconsistent.
But this offseason, Victory+ was announced, and once the details came in, I was ecstatic. Having the games on demand for 48 hours (before they got kicked over to ESPN+) was perfect for me — I wouldn’t have to watch live, but I could soon afterwards, giving myself enough time for a, well, Afterwords. This was going to be a new season, one full of my ramblings instead of just occasionally plagued by them.
Of course, the Dallas Stars’ season opener was on ESPN+, which I ditched due to no longer being able to justify the price. Then I intended opening night in person (so it was too late for me to write that night), and it was on a weekend (which meant I didn’t have time to write in the morning). Followed by the third game, which was also a weekend game (I’m one of the few Americans who got Monday off), and once again was not able to write that night or the next morning.
But the fourth game? Oh yeah, we’re back in business, baby!
To me, two key numbers stick out from last night: 4-0-0 and 3-for-3.
The first is self explanatory, as the Stars secured the win to continue their unbeaten streak to start the season. Sure, it’s not as if they had to face any juggernauts (two low-end playoff teams and two who missed altogether), but four in a row is impressive nonetheless. To put things in perspective, only the Calgary Flames (4-0-0) have accomplished the same this season, although there are two others who remain unbeaten with fewer games played : the Winnipeg Jets (3-0-0) and the Tampa Bay Lightning (2-0-0).
The other figure, 3-for-3, represents the Stars’ going perfect on the shootout (well, shooting for at least). Which, honestly, becomes more impressive the more I think about it.
Although, given the Stars’ offensive talent, how surprised are you, really? Jason Robertson is a sniper, Matt Duchene has some slick moves, and Wyatt Johnston having gone 0-3 in his shootout career prior to last night has to be some sort of clerical error. Throw them up against Mackenzie Blackwood, who is most definitely a goalie, and that sort of performance, while special, shouldn’t come too much as a shock.
Except, there’s an underlying issue we’ve been glossing over: if the Stars’ have such incredible forwards, and Blackwood is, well, Blackwood, then why were the Stars in the shootout to begin with? I mean, this was the San Jose Sharks, the last place basement team from last year that didn’t even win 20 games and didn’t even have 1st overall pick Macklin Celebrini in the lineup due to injury.
There’s many explanations for that, of course. Dallas continues to be allergic to powerplay goals (more on that later). Blackwood was playing lights out fantastic until the shootout. And although Jake Oettinger was also impressive, both of the Sharks’ goals came off of ugly turnovers-turned-rush-opportunities that hang him out to dry. I mean, Miro Heiskanen got beat out for a puck by Ty Dellandrea for goodness’ sake. Ty Dellandrea!!!
But once again, how surprised are you, really? The Stars have been somewhat sloppy to start the season, putting in a perfect record, yes, but not really rolling the way we would expect from a two-time Conference Finalist and Cup Favorite. The Nashville Predators was understandable given it was the first game and their rival’s offseason upgrades (just, uhh, don’t look at their current record). Maybe the New York Islanders and Seattle Kraken too due to the nature of the back-to-back. But against the Sharks? The Sharks?!?
Now, this is normally the part where I would tell you to relax, that it’s only the start of the season, and that the Stars’ earn the benefit of the doubt. But I’m going to go with a slightly different approach: does it really matter that it’s the start of the season? If this same stretch happened in the middle or towards the end, would it have more weight to it, or would it feel about the same?
Let me explain myself: while watching the Islanders game, I think it was clear that the Stars were coasting at times, knowing they had another game to play the next day. And even if they didn’t, I thought to myself how that was a reasonable expectation regardless. After all, you can’t expect every player to give 110% effort 100% of the time — that’s just asking for burn out if not injuries. Instead, whether it’s in the context of a single game or a whole season, it’s more important to give 110% effort at the right times so that you can take home the win, and to reserve your energy when it’s not needed as much.
That same philosophy can be extended to a team’s performance as a whole, which brings me up to a poll that Robert Tiffin shared last night before the game that I found interesting:
I haven’t read it yet, but I’m sure Robert talked about this poll in his own AfterThoughts. But since I already stole his column name, I might as well steal his talking points: quite frankly, I was a little surprised at the poll results. Just over 50% picked “15ish”, whereas my expected favorite, “30ish,” took home a hair under 19%. 2% were lunatics and picked “50+,” and then just over a quarter joined me with the first option: “5 at most.”
Honestly, I’m surprised there were that many of us. After all, Stars fans (myself included) constantly bemoan the Stars’ inability to play “a full 60 minutes,” especially last season. And yet, when I really stopped to think about it, I considered how lofty of an expectation it was. I mean, it’s the age of parity where the worst NHL team could beat the best on any given night and it not be too shocking. Players are more talented than ever, scoring has been on an upwards trend over the years, and sports science has everyone in the best shape of their lives for gameday.
And yet, we’re supposed to just watch one team put in an essentially” perfect” performance night in and night out? That they can’t be allowed to either struggle or take the foot off the gas for (half of) a period? Don’t get me wrong, I think good teams should look good and not leave us with more questions than answers, but it’s very easy to get hung up on bad stretches that muddy what might otherwise have been a good if not great game.
That’s not to say I think the Sharks was such a game (there’s a reason in my recap I say they “survived“), just that perhaps it’s okay to let such a game slide. And given the results of Robert’s poll, I’m willing to bet many of you are too.
Some quick hits (and I mean it) to wrap this all up:
• I hate to be a guy calling for someone’s job. And honestly, expecting Pete DeBoer to fire Steve Spott would be like asking Ted Lasso to fire Coach Beard. But perhaps DeBoer could at least relieve him of his power play duties?
The Stars are 1-for-13 on the power play this season, including a double minor and a (shortened) 4-on-3 in overtime last night. Only four teams have a lower conversion rate, each scoreless, and of those, all but the Buffalo Sabres (14) have at least four less attempts than Dallas.
Now I know what I said earlier about stretches and not wanting to be perfect and all that. But this isn’t a stretch: it’s a pattern dating to last year, specifically towards the end of the regular season and the playoffs. And while you could point out that the Florida Panthers, one of the worst PP% teams in the playoffs (worse than Dallas even), beat the Edmonton Oilers, who were far better than any team save the Colorado Avalanche, that series still came down to a Game 7. Not to mention that the Stars, like the Oilers, are chock full of offensive talent — they should be dominating, and in fact did to start last season.
But now? Dallas constantly coughs up puck with the man advantage, spends far too much time trying to find the perfect shot, and overall just looks lifeless. A change is needed in some way, shape, or form.
• I know I threw some shade at him earlier, but was really happy for Ty Dellandrea last night. First goal for your new team, and it comes against the only other NHL team you’ve ever known? The team that drafted you in the very building that you were playing in as a visitor for the first time? Magic.
• I mentioned it earlier, but Oettinger had a solid game, and has overall started strong this season. I am admittedly an Oettinger “stan,” so take everything I say with a grain of salt, but I take this all as a sign that last year truly was an aberration, a down year for a young goalie who otherwise has been trending up. I know I’ve cast heavy doubts on the Stars’ defensive (lack of) upgrades this offseason, but if Oettinger can live up to his potential, the Stars are going to be a hard bounce this year even with only half a quality blueline.