Dallas Stars Playoff Run
Just one win away from the Western Conference finals with a 3-1 series lead over the Winnipeg Jets, the Dallas Stars are in a comfortable spot. The Stars have their full lineup featuring their previously injured players and trade deadline adds for the first time this season. They only need to win one of the next three games to advance, and if they can earn that win sooner rather than later, they could get a few well-deserved days off.
The Stars looked solid in their two home wins this week to take a substantial lead in the series, but through 11 playoff games, Dallas has yet to look its best. That’s a frightening reality for opponents around the league, knowing this Stars team has another level to reach. To reach that high ceiling, here are five players the Stars could use more production from down the stretch of their playoff run:
Introduction to the Players
The Dallas Stars have a talented roster, but some players need to step up their game to take the team to the next level. The following players have the potential to make a significant impact on the team’s success in the playoffs.
Jason Robertson
Dallas’ leading goal scorer missed the entire first round against Colorado after suffering a lower-body injury in a meaningless Game 82. It was a big loss for the Stars, but with Dallas managing to advance past the Avalanche, Robertson was able to make his return in Game 1 against Winnipeg.
Robertson has avoided injuries for the most part throughout his career. While he had offseason foot surgery to remove a cyst, he was available by the start of the season. He had previously never missed time in the playoffs or had to make a return during a high-intensity playoff series.
The 25-year-old is still getting up to speed, recording just one assist in his four games back. With the success of Dallas’ new top line featuring Mikko Rantanen, Roope Hintz and Mikael Granlund, Robertson has found himself in different situations in the bottom six where he doesn’t typically play. It’s required somewhat of an adjustment.
But with 39 points in 49 career playoff games, Dallas will need Robertson to be a bigger contributor deeper in the postseason.
(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)
Matt Duchene
Of Dallas’ players who have played in all 11 playoff games, Duchene is one of just two forwards yet to score a goal. The other is Sam Steel, whose role is more centered around playing a 200-foot game and penalty killing.
Duchene scored 30 goals for Dallas in the regular season, one of four players to do so. Among players that spent the entire season in Dallas, he led in points with 82. But in the playoffs, he’s recorded just five assists.
Duchene’s presence has absolutely been felt at times, like when he set up Wyatt Johnston’s series-clinching power play goal in Round 1. But the Stars could use more from his line with Mason Marchment and Tyler Seguin as a whole.
His contributions go beyond what he does on the ice as a vocal leader in the room, though he and the Stars are still searching for his first goal.
Jamie Benn
At 35 years old on an expiring contract, Jamie Benn’s future is up in the air. The Stars captain put up respectable numbers in the regular season, recording 49 points (16 goals and 33 assists) in 80 games, but he entered a slump in the end of the regular season that has carried over to the playoffs.
It’s similar to what the Stars saw from Joe Pavelski last year, as his age seemed to catch up to him in the playoffs.
Benn has three points (one goal and two assists) in 11 playoff games this year. He’s spent more time on Dallas’ third and fourth lines this series against Winnipeg, and his ice time has been limited to 11 or 12 minutes a night, compared to 15 and up in the first round.
Benn has also taken some costly penalties, committing a penalty in each of the last five games, including every game this round. He also has just one goal in the last 28 games.
Tyler Seguin
Seguin is in a similar spot as Robertson, still working to return from injury, though his was far more serious.
Seguin had hip surgery in early December and had the longest recovery of any Star to miss time this season. He made his return in Game 82 of the regular season and immediately jumped into a taxing postseason run.
Seguin has also battled injuries throughout his career, which continue to take a toll.
He had a hot start to the playoffs, scoring two goals in the first three games, including the Game 3 overtime winner against Colorado, but has not scored since, recording just two assists in the last eight games and no points against Winnipeg.
