There’s nothing new about the Dallas Stars blowing third period leads (to tell the truth, all teams blow leads and fans complain about it like its unique). Interestingly, this years version of the Stars is doing it while not turtling. Seems like blown leads are potentially more spectacular when a team sends all three forwards below the goal line, and then has the strong side defender pinch. Something to situationally clean up? If you’re a fan of high event hockey, its certainly more interesting than dropping all five skaters into the defensive zone, but both can and do lead to losses.
Early on in the season, it was easy to look at a Stars team that seemingly was willing to keep the peddle down when up on the scoreboard. Lately, opponents are pushing back (witness the Colorado Avalanche and Calgary Flames). So maybe, just maybe, we owe the humble turtle a humble apology.
But those results are all in the past. The Stars will refine their systems and modify their proclivities, moving on to the next set of challenges. Coaches set the high level strategies for the group and hopefully the group buys in. Frequently, they go 110% to the extreme – and a good coach will bring things back in line.
You could witness some of this during the recent Vegas Golden Knights game. Good, tight checking playoff type hockey. Not much like that played throughout the four other games of the homestand. The Stars can play that controlled game (and the team is probably better when it does).
With the first stop on the coming short jaunt through Western Canada, Dallas may want to try it out against the Rick Bowness coached Winnipeg Jets, a team that looks remarkably like the pre-Pete DeBoer Stars.
Dallas Stars Lineup
Jamie Benn (14) – Roope Hintz (24) – Joe Pavelski (16)
Jason Robertson (21) – Wyatt Johnston (53) – Evgenii Dadonov (63)
Mason Marchment (27) – Matt Duchene (95) – Tyler Seguin (91)
Craig Smith (15) – Radek Faksa (12) – Sam Steel (18)
Ryan Suter (20) – Miro Heiskanen (4)
Esa Lindell (23) – Jani Hakanpää (2)
Thomas Harley (55) – Nils Lundkvist (5)
Jake Oettinger (29)
Scott Wedgewood (41)
Craig Smith is back skating after an extended illness and should be in the lineup moving forward. Not great news for Ty Dellandrea – whose presence truthfully did not jump out at you while he drew in as Smith’s replacement.
Wedgewood was in net on November 11 when the Stars beat the Jets 3-2 at Canada Life Centre, outdueling Connor Hellebuyck.
Winnipeg Jets Lineup
Kyle Connor (81) – Mark Scheifele (55) – Alex Iafallo (9)
Cole Perfetti (91) – Vladislav Namestnikov (7) – Nikolaj Ehlers (27)
Nino Niederreiter (62) – Adam Lowry (17) – Mason Appleton (22)
Morgan Barron (36) – David Gustafsson (19) – Axel Jonsson-Fjallby (71)
Joshua Morrissey (44) – Dylan DeMelo (2)
Brenden Dillon (5) – Neal Pionk (4)
Dylan Samberg (54) – Nate Schmidt (88)
Connor Hellebuyck (39)
Laurent Brossoit (37)
The Jets roll the same lines as the last matchup, with the exception of Rasmus Kupari on the fourth. Truthfully, the Jets give their fourth line around 10 minutes a game, so that isn’t much impact.
In addition, even though he’s close, Gabe Vilardi continues to be out. Overall, the top three lines are all playing well, and scoring is spread around.
Likewise, the Jets look like the Stars on defense as well, with Morrissey taking the role of Heiskanen. It’s a veteran group with few obvious weaknesses with a propensity to play a conservative game. Expect Dallas to have to work for their chances.
Keys to the Game
Lock it down. The Stars have not been diligent in their 200 foot game. That is not this team’s identity. The Jets will play things tight and if Dallas tries to recklessly push the action, the Winnipeg counter attack will take advantage.
60 minute game. Slow starts, bad finishes. All fall into this category. The Stars are a great 30 minute team, but they have to survive the other half of the game in order to win consistently.
Goaltending. Both teams have the ability to steal a game from the net. It’s been a while since Dallas was on the winning side of a goalie battle.