first shift 🏒
Johnson would have had a great Sunday night after Dallas won 6-1 against the Ottawa Senators.
“Confidence,” he said, “is a great medicine.”
The stars are on high at the moment and it is visible in their results. Dallas has won four consecutive games and has outscored opponents 21–9 in that span. The power play has gone 6-14 in that span and now leads the NHL in both success rate and total goals.
This is a good time for the team.
“I feel like when you’re feeling it, things start to flow and different things open up,” Johnson said. “Confidence is a great drug. It’s been keeping us up for some time now.”
Dallas has battled injuries throughout the season and has had ups and downs despite a 17-5-4 overall record. However, Robertson leads the way with 13 goals in the last 10 games. Meanwhile, Rantanen had 15 assists in 14 games during the month of November.
Rantanen has been a huge catalyst for this team and is earning a lot of praise for his passing ability.
“You have to respect him whenever the puck is on his stick,” Robertson said. “I’ve watched it for years, and I’m glad we’ve now added him to our team. It’s another dynamic addition to our lineup.”
Rantanen was acquired in a blockbuster trade in March, so this is his first full season with the Stars. But Dallas players know him from spending nearly a decade in Colorado. Now they are getting to see a different side of him.
“He’s an amazing player,” Johnson said. “He sees the ice so well. Not many people get to see the game that he sees. He’s so much fun to play with. I’ve learned to be ready at all times, especially when he has the puck.”
Johnson has also been “amazing” and one reason for that is because he is so prepared. He gets inside position and then prepares to pass. On Sunday, Rantanen found him in a blowout game, and Rupe Hintz provided another assist that was converted into a quick release for a goal.
“He’s really good,” Gulutzan said. “I don’t know if I’ve ever seen another guy shoot better. He’s got quick hands and he knows where to shoot. It’s hard to teach the things that make these guys great.”
Rantanen has been with Johnston and captain Benn and said the chemistry is helping to boost confidence.
“Obviously, Jonny and Benny are two really smart players,” Rantanen said. “They can both score, but they can also make plays, so I have to be ready when they have the puck. The more minutes we get, the better we’ll get off each other.”
Because you know what they say about confidence.
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