The Dallas Stars have advanced to their 3rd Western Conference Final in the last 5 seasons. They quietly became one of the most consistent franchises in the NHL. Aside from the COVID-shortened 2021 season the Stars have been contenders the last 5 years. Dallas has the perfect balance of veterans and younger players with familiar faces like Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin stepping out of the way for players like Miro Heiskanen, Roope Hintz, and playoff extraordinaire Wyatt Johnston. Let’s look back at the previous 5 seasons and what the persistent Dallas Stars have done as they advance to the Western Final.
Bubble Run To The Cup Final
In a season where the team had to fire head coach Jim Montgomery due to “unprofessional conduct inconsistent with the core values and beliefs of the Dallas Stars and the National Hockey League,” the bubble was a happened circumstance. The Stars would finish 3rd in the round robin format beating the Calgary Flames in round 1 in 6 games. Then thanks to the heroics of Joel Kiviranta’s game 7 hat trick defeated the Colorado Avalanche. Dallas then advanced to their 1st Stanley Cup since 2000 beating the Vegas Golden Knights in 5. The run would fall short as the Tampa Bay Lightning would defeat Dallas in 5 Games taking home the Stanley Cup in Edmonton.
COVID And Injury Outbreak
After naming Rick Bowness the full-time head coach the 2021 season could not have gone worse. Injuries and a massive COVID-19 outbreak in training camp never allowed the Stars to get their feet under them. Despite positive months in January and April it was not enough to qualify for the playoffs. Even with the awful season Dallas only finished 4 points out of a playoff spot. Even with the disappointment of missing the playoffs, the Stars would select Wyatt Johnston and Logan Stankoven as their top 2 picks in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.
1st Round Heartbreaker
The 2021-22 season showed the emergence of goaltender Jake Oettinger and forward Jason Robertson. Oettinger sported a .914 save percentage and 30 wins in his 48 appearances with only 2 of those in relief. Robertson exploded for 41 goals and 79 points in 74 games. Their first round was historic as they lost to the Calgary Flames in a 7 game goaltender duel for the ages. Oettinger played every minute of the series for Dallas sporting a .954 save percentage and only allowed 13 goals. Jacob Markstrom had incredibly similar numbers in the series with a .943 save percentage allowing just 11 goals. Therefore Dallas shouldn’t be disappointed in the series they lost in a Game 7 overtime.
No Revenge For DeBoer
With expectations growing a coaching carousel afoot the Stars would replace head coach Rick Bowness with Peter DeBoer who was relieved of his duties with the Vegas Golden Knights. Thanks to another ascending Jason Robertson season where he tallied 109 points the Stars themselves would finish with 108 points just one back of Colorado despite a +67 goal differential. Dallas would defeat Minnesota and Seattle in 6 and 7 games respectively to reach the Western Conference Finals facing DeBoer’s former club in Vegas. The Golden Knights would win and advance to their 2nd Stanley Cup Final in franchise history. The series included three overtime games and an overwhelming 6-0 win for Vegas in the deciding game 6.
Current Season
This season saw the Stars have their most productive regular season winning the Central Division, hosting the best record on the road, and having only one month under .500. Consistency was the key for this season as 9 different Stars recorded more than 50 points in the regular season. Dallas slayed their Golden Knight dragon in 7 games. Thanks to newcomer Matt Duchene, the Stars have again advanced to the Western Conference Final. The only question is when the lights shine the brightest who will be the star of the show? Check out Area 51 Sports Network for all the upcoming playoff action.
