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Stargazing, A Dallas Stars Puckcast – Episode 268: October Surprises

The 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

With the first month behind them, the Stars are moving into position for a long run. Wes and Mark survey the territory.

October is over for the Dallas Stars. They’re sitting comfortably near the Central Division’s top spot. They have an appointment on the world stage with the 2024 Stanley Cup champions. And this may not even be as good as it gets this season. So…what’s wrong with this picture?

As we wait with bated breath for the NHL Global Series, Wes and Mark took a close look at how the Stars started the season – and whether their hot start is sustainable. In this episode, they discuss:

  • how luck has factored into the Stars’ power-play resurgence,
  • the one positional lack that hampers the first unit,
  • what stickwork will do for Mavrik Bourque’s ability to stick his landing in the NHL,
  • the right way to think about Oskar Bäck’s skill set,
  • why the fourth line has become a difference-maker,
  • the issue with the faceoff percentage, and why time may be the only thing to fix it,
  • how the Central Division is putting the #MurderDeathKill back into the all-important competition for playoff spaces,
  • and so very much more.

Will the Dallas Stars and the Florida Panthers bring the Thunderdome to Tampere? Get your Auntie Entity GIFs ready, just in case. We’re Stargazing, and we’re brought to you by BetOnline.

What’s your take on the Stars’ season so far? Tell us in the comments, or DM us @WesALawrence or @KETibbetts on the short app. (We’re only there for you. Don’t leave us hanging.)

And please give us a rate, review or share wherever you listen. It’ll be the best Halloween treat ever. We love you all.

The Dallas Stars picked the week before a big road trip to go on a bit of a tear, winning-wise. Four consecutive victories, three of them at home, felt like a great holiday gift that arrived just a couple of days late – at once a delight and a relief. Which means it's a great time for Wes and Mark to start rolling sports takes. In this episode, they discuss the resurgence of Jason Robertson, the frustrations of Logan Stankoven and Mavrik Bourque, and what it means to have Lian Bichsel carrying the entire defense for the Texas Stars rather than playing on the third pair in Dallas. Heads up: Matt Dumba gets his flowers in this one. That should be all the reason you need to go Stargazing with us. The whole thing is brought to you by BetOnline. Any predictions for the trip East? Tell us about it at Defending Big D. We’ll probably bring it up in a future cast. (No, really!) And hey, let us know you’re listening in the form of a like, review or share. Thanks for listening!
  1. When The Levee Breaks
  2. Chaos Squad
  3. The Unthinkable
  4. The Depth Thing
  5. Texas Stars Fall Forecast 2024

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