first shift 🏒
Since 2022, the Stars have the best road record in the NHL.
Dallas is 80-38-16 and leads the league in road scoring at 3.40 and road GAA at 2.87. They are second in points percentage this season with 7-1-3.
So what is it that makes this team so good? Well, the team has a defensive culture, a tendency to score goals consistently, and a culture of playing well every night.
“I think overall we’re pretty good at home and on the road, so that helps,” forward Robertson said. “But, yeah, we really try to be consistent and approach things the same way every game, and I think it shows in the standings.”
Ironically, it’s been a slightly inconsistent season in the NHL – including the stars. They have bounced back from two-goal deficits in four different games, being one of the top-scoring teams in the third period. They have rallied despite using several different lineups.
But this was also a good thing.
“We adopted the mantra that we’ve got to score points,” coach Glenn Gulutzan said of a universal philosophy that applies very well on the road. “Our people are struggling, and I think it makes a difference.”
All road trips in the past were for one-gamers or two-gamers, but are currently for four-gamers. This can be a challenge. Dallas is still without Thomas Harley, Ilya Lyubukhin, Nils Lundqvist, Duchene and Rantanen (for one game). So then playing back-to-back games in Edmonton and Vancouver is a challenge.
But having Ben back and the players learning about each other could help.
Ben said, “There’s something about being on the road with the boys… all hanging out together and having dinner or playing cards.” “It’s a lot of fun, we enjoy each other’s company, and I think that translates to our performance on the ice.”
It certainly can’t hurt. Sam Steele said he had noticed the team culture when he came on board a few years ago, and Aleksandar Petrovic said he felt the group felt welcoming to every player in the dressing room.
“It’s a good culture,” Petrovic said. “Obviously, the guys love being together. You get to spend time together and it’s always good. Also, we’ve been in close games, and I think having the off-ice stuff helped.”
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