Stray Observations (Game 8): At last, Dallas earns 24 hours of peace (well, more like 16) in 3-2 win over Carolina
It wasn't pretty. But it was at times.
The L.A. game, despite lacking in the desired results, felt like a step in the right direction. Maybe “step” is a stretch. More like nudge. After all, the performance happened too soon after the Columbus stinker, which had happened too soon after the St. Louis stinker, which — okay you get it. We all get it. When it’s this early in the season, and the doom reaches a fever pitch, things clearly aren’t going as planned. How would Dallas respond to an elite team coming into their barn?
Turns out: pretty good!
Granted, Carolina was missing half their defense’ top four, but it’s not like the Stars are playing with a full deck either. Overall, however, it was a strong team performance. The game itself was somewhat goofy. Perhaps owing to the inexperience of Carolina’s blueline and goaltender, but this game was way jankier than you would have expected with a lot of odd bounces, and dramatic chances that didn’t go in while the most perfunctory chances did. However, the Stars maintained team composure through it all and ultimately won the special teams battle.
We’re still in the dark when it comes to this team’s identity under Gulutzan. I’m not sure how long it’ll take for that picture to clear up, but two good performances in a row ideally speaks to something that can continue to be built on. If the momentum is real, there’s no reason why it shouldn’t show up versus an awful Predators team who will also be coming off a back-to-back (they won a shootout over the Kings 5-4 tonight).
Awkward starts
Dallas hasn’t technically allowed a ton of goals in the first period (four total before tonight), but it does feel like they’re rarely on their front foot. Except for Winnipeg and L.A., the Stars are rarely asserting themselves early on. A slow start isn’t the same as a death sentence. But it does create a situation where even if the goals aren’t lopsided, the instinct to catch up is always felt, and thus the sticks are being squeezed that much tighter — which might explain the overall lack of juice the team seems to have at times.
Counterpunching
Dallas got a very fortunate bounce with Miro Heiskanen’s shot going off Nikolaj Ehlers’ stick. Nonetheless, it would be the prelude to a pretty solid push in the second period by Dallas, and something that we haven’t seen a ton of by a Stars team that has lacked the ability to control territory. Against an injured but still solid Carolina team, it’s also a welcome sign of life in general — especially if you’re judging it off the continuum of what began in the Kings game.
The actual top line?
The trio of Wyatt Johnston, Jason Robertson, and Mavrik Bourque continue to be a possession beast. They’re 70 percent in expected goal share, and 61 percent in shot share. They’re also, unfortunately, without a goal. Personally I think that’s okay. Tonight’s game was a perfect example of how puck luck works; which is to say, lacking any semblance of logic whatsoever. The goals will come, and I’m glad Glen Gulutzan hasn’t budged when it comes to keeping them together and letting them — ideally — ride out the PDO storm.
Heiskanen: sniper?
The performance of Heiskanen has been a constant topic of conversation. Early on he simply didn’t look like himself. But over the last stretch of games, he’s looked excellent. I have no idea what was going on, but it was hard to imagine it lasting any longer than it did, and thankfully, it has not. Heiskanen has put together a strong stretch of games going back to the St. Louis contest where all of his faculties appear in sync with his movement.
As I’ve said before, the topic of Heiskanen on the top unit is something that likely won’t go away. But with a new coach and a new system, I believe it deserves the benefit of the doubt. Yes, I’m aware of Heiskanen and Harley’s point totals. But Dallas isn’t just converting at an absurdly high rate. They’re in full on gigachad mode from shift to shift. It’s not just working. It’s laying waste to opponents.
Meandering strays
That four-plus minute shift for Lian Bichsel and Alex Petrovic was brutal. It’s the kind of shift that underscores the lack of mobility from the backend, even if it was something of an anomaly.
I thought the call on Taylor Hall’s hit on Roope Hintz was the correct one. It looked pretty bad at first glance, but Hall caught all chest. Charging, granted, but not worthy of a major.
It was great to see Logan Stankoven again. But even better, I love seeing Carolina give him a shot at center, which was how he plied his trade in juniors. For a team that severely lacks center depth, this could be a boon.
I know the forward lines have been the topic of a lot of conversation (especially a lot of venting). But for the most part, I think Gulutzan is doing what needs to do. Their best forwards are in the top six, and their least-best forwards are in the bottom six. While Sam Steel is a lightning rod for some (and indeed I would never make the argument that he’s an actively good fit), he’s also a lot better than anyone else in the bottom six right now.
Per Gulutzan, Hintz is still being evaluated.
Miro looks so so back