By Nick Lenahan
Dallas has put together an amazing run towards the 4th and final playoff spot in the NHL’s Discover Central Division. They have the 6th best power play in the league and have been bolstered by rookie phenom Jason Robertson (14 – 22 – 36 in 41 games). Robertson has flanked either Joe Pavelski or Jason Dickinson, opposite of Roope Hintz, when healthy. In doing so, they created a line that has been astoundingly cohesive and resilient. Robertson does an incredible job creating space and using patience to open up slots for Pavelski to work around the net. The line’s play from behind the net is arguably top 5 in the entire league. Being 6-2-2 in their last 10 games speaks for itself, and they’ve outscored their opponents 35-25 in that span.
Unfortunately for Hintz, he has been plagued by a lower-body injury throughout the year. Hintz has filled the stat sheet when healthy. He’s got 38 points in 33 games, surpassing his career-high of 33 points in 27 fewer games.
All that being said, Dallas has been propelled to within one point of Nashville for the last playoff spot in their division. With consistent goaltending and a healthy Hintz, Dallas should have no problem choking out Nashville. The Stars have played a very up-tempo offensive style that takes chances and pays off for its young, hungry players. To me, that’s what separates playoff teams from those that miss the cut. They have the ability to take chances and execute, and on the rare occasion that the puck goes the opposite way, the team still has the confidence in guys on the back end like Esa Lindell, Miro Heiskanen, and Jamie Oleksiak.
Dallas is a very exciting team to watch right now and it helps that their reverse retro jerseys look amazing on the ice. There are 10 games left for them, 7 of which are against current playoff teams. Going from 12 points out of a playoff spot to 2 since March 7th is a feat in itself, any team that rounds out the year on that type of momentum is destined to be dangerous in the playoffs. If Dallas should go 6-3-1 in their final games, I see them holding off Nashville to go on to their 4th playoff birth in 6 years.
For live updates and breaking news, follow Trainwreck Sports, Crossing Swords or 2 Goalies 1 Mic on Twitter or subscribe to our YouTube channel
The Sports Desk can be reached at editorialtrainwrecksports@gmail.com