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Stargazing, A Dallas Stars Puckcast – Episode 324: Round 1, Game 1 Reactions

Wes and Mark welcome Taylor Baird for some piping hot takes on how the Stars’ playoffs have begun.

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

There is nothing wrong with the Dallas Stars. Their systems work, and so does their lineup. And this Minnesota Wild team is still exactly what we thought it was. So how do we square these things with the…effort we saw in Game 1?

To make sense of Saturday’s loss, we needed to bring in the big guns. So Wes and Mark tackled the topic with NHL.com‘s Taylor Baird – whom you also know as DBD’s editor-in-chief. They went over the lines that worked (and didn’t), the injuries that still dog the team, and what the Stars will do to rally after getting punched in the face.

The Stars have a history of losing the first game in a Stanley Cup Playoffs round, then going on to win the series. We’re Stargazing, and we’re taking the long view for as long as we can.

What’s your take on Game 1? Let us know in the comments. And please don’t forget to rate, review and share wherever you listen. It’s the daily affirmation that we love most of all.

Welcome to Stargazing. We love you.

The Dallas Stars always knew they had a lot of work to get done in the 2026 NHL offseason. We fans always knew GM Jim Nill had a plan, and it surely involved re-signing both Jason Robertson and Mavrik Bourque. So do we panic now that Plan A is dusted? Or is a Jim Nill Plan B good enough to keep the Stars rolling? In this episode of Stargazing, Wes and Mark discuss the battle to keep Robo (and who has a legitimate chance of taking him away), Jamie Benn's new deal, a show-me season for Thomas Harley, what the team needs from Mikko Rantanen, separating fact from fiction in the Stars' salary cap situation…and ever so much more. So is Joel Kiviranta the good-luck charm we all need to ensure everything will be OK? We're Stargazing, and we're not dismissing the prospect out of hand. Bonus question: Who are you watching among the Stars' new NHL Draft picks? 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. Plan A and Plan B
  2. Golfing Season
  3. Round 1, Game 4 Reactions
  4. Round 1, Game 3 Reactions
  5. Round 1, Game 2 Reactions

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