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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.

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The Dallas Stars' struggles in filling out their defense have defined much of their recent past. But will it define them in 2026-27? In Stargazing's annual Positional Puckcast, Wes and Mark examine the blueline and find…a solid, functional unit. They discuss the ever-steady top pairing of Miro Heiskanen and Esa Lindell, the advent of Nils Lundvist, what to expect from Thomas Harley, a future for Lian Bichsel, the Wall of Humanity Pairing Featuring Tyler Myers, who will win the seventh-defender spot, and ever so much more. Will Heiskanen ever get back on his strong side? Is that even a goal at this point? We're Stargazing, and we think Miro is better on his right-hand side than many actual right-handers. But 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.
  1. On Defense
  2. Goals (In Net)
  3. Catching Up
  4. Plan A and Plan B
  5. Golfing Season

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