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Stargazing, A Dallas Stars Puckcast – Episode 309: Features, Not Bugs

Fancy stats or anti-stats? Wes and Mark discuss why the Stars keep getting results that don’t track.

Defending Big D's Stargazing podcast logo, featuring a Dallas Stars Victory Green cassette tape with tearaway jersey texture and nets over the sprocket holes, designed by Jason Lara
Logo design: Jason Lara | @NHLMaps

The rise of advanced stats in hockey has taught us that much of what we know about the Dallas Stars is bad. Just look at them: 31st in the NHL in shot share, 24th in expected goals…so how in the world do they just – keep – winning?

Wes and Mark have decided that this year’s Stars were built this way on purpose. And in this edition of Stargazing, they make the case. They discuss the type of shots the team makes, the type they give up, and how the type of game they play means they perhaps don’t get as much credit as they deserve for their own success.

Loading a whole other power-play unit…cats and dogs playing together…mass hysteria! We’re Stargazing, and we endorse it. What about you? Tell us what you’d like to see in the comments.

And if you’re listening, please gift us a rate, review, or share wherever you get your podcasts. We love you. Especially at holiday time.

Well, the Dallas Stars exited the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs sooner than anyone wanted. It's going to be a long summer for all of us. What now? In this episode of Stargazing, Wes and Mark examined the takeaways from the Stars' all-too-short run. And along with the obvious issues (injuries, penalties, name it), they found some surprisingly positive evidence for the future (and you may or may not be surprised at how much of it probably ties into the promotion of Neil Graham). So are you rooting for the asteroid, or the giant truck? We're Stargazing, and we're keeping our options open. Bonus question: What will you look for in the next NHL Draft? Let's talk about it at Defending Big D. And please give us a rate, review, or share wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome to Stargazing. We love you. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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