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

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

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

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.

If there's one thing the Dallas Stars don't have to worry about, it's their tandem in net. But what do fans expect to see from Jake Oettinger and Casey DeSmith in 2026-27? In this episode of Stargazing, Wes and Mark talk about the synergy between the net and the blueline, the importance of staying healthy (and how much that's worth paying for), the factors that stats can't seem to capture, the Him vs. Dog of it all, and ever so much more. Really, who cares about save percentage? We're Stargazing, and we'd rather get credit for the wins. 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. Goals (In Net)
  2. Catching Up
  3. Plan A and Plan B
  4. Golfing Season
  5. Round 1, Game 4 Reactions

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