The sting of dropping the final three games of the Western Conference finals to the Edmonton Oilers last spring doesn’t just vanish on a crisp October afternoon. It’s the kind of defeat that lingers in the back of the mind, but the key is to not let it weigh you down. You’ve got to kick those painful memories to the curb and focus on what’s in front of you. After all, in any sport, it’s always about the present moment. The past? It’s done. The future? That’s what the Dallas Stars are aiming to shape with each game this season, and they're off to a solid start with a 4-1 win over last year’s conference champs.
Let’s talk about this victory—it wasn’t just another game. It was a statement. The Stars showed that they’re not going to let the ghosts of last season haunt them. Matt Duchene lit up the scoreboard with two goals, Roope Hintz added three points, and then there’s Jake Oettinger, the Stars’ $66 million man (and no, that’s not spread over one year like Dak Prescott, it’s over eight). Oettinger has already racked up his fourth win of the season, and it’s clear the Stars are setting themselves up for something special.
After two consecutive runs to the conference finals, including a six-game loss to Vegas in 2022, Dallas needed to hit the ground running. And guess what? They have. The team’s win improved their record to 5-1-0, with their only blemish being a Thursday loss to Washington. And if you think these guys aren’t carrying any of the weight from last season’s close call, think again. "I can tell you that I was worried about it," admitted head coach Pete DeBoer, reflecting on the challenges that come after deep playoff runs. "You’re always worried about a hangover or whether the tank will be half full." But he also pointed out something crucial—good starts matter. "We’ve had good starts the last two years, and that takes a lot of pressure off the group. We wanted to make sure we did that again."
And so far, so good. They’ve come out swinging, and that’s how you set the tone for a season. On the other side of the rink, the Edmonton Oilers—last year’s Stanley Cup runners-up—are struggling to find their groove. They’ve got a rocky 2-4 record, and just like Dallas, they haven’t found their power play stride yet. But we all know how that goes. The Oilers will get it together sooner or later, but for now, the Stars’ defense and Oettinger’s sharp goaltending kept them scoreless until Leon Draisaitl managed to get one past Oettinger with only 2:22 left in the game. By then, though, the Stars had the game in hand, and Jason Robertson’s empty-netter, set up by Logan Stankoven’s second assist of the night, put the final nail in the Oilers’ coffin.
Now, let’s not forget about the young guns who are stepping up in a big way. As much as veterans like Matt Duchene, Jamie Benn, and Tyler Seguin continue to lead the charge, the real excitement might just come from the Stars’ dynamic duo of 21-year-olds—Wyatt Johnston and Logan Stankoven. Johnston was the Stars’ leading goal scorer last year, and Stankoven, who spent most of last season in Austin, had an impressive 14 points in 24 games with Dallas. These two youngsters came into Saturday’s game averaging a point per game, which is no small feat.
When asked if these two could sustain that level of play for the whole season, DeBoer was cautiously optimistic. “I think they can both be point-a-game guys in this league. Is that in the cards for this year?” he pondered. “For Johnny, it definitely is. For Logan, let’s hope so, but it’s a lot to ask for him. He’s going to be playing on the second power play unit, not killing penalties, more of a depth player in our lineup. He’s going to score a lot of big points for us this year, but I don’t want to hang that on him just yet.”
Yet, despite DeBoer’s measured approach, actions spoke louder than words when he bumped Stankoven up to the top line alongside Robertson and Hintz on Saturday. The Stars were struggling to find their offensive rhythm in a scoreless game, with just four shots on goal halfway through. Though Johnston was held off the scoresheet for the first time this season, Stankoven shone with two assists, bringing his total to seven points in six games. It’s an exciting glimpse into the future for this team, which is managing to strike a perfect balance between seasoned veterans and fresh, young talent.
The Stars’ ability to maintain that blend of youth and experience is crucial for navigating the marathon that is the NHL’s 82-game regular season. Complacency can be a killer in this league, and losing focus can derail a team long before playoff time. Dallas, though, is keeping its eyes on the present—avoiding the temptation to overcompensate for last season’s missed opportunities. The path to redemption doesn’t run through May or June just yet. Right now, it’s about putting in the work, game by game, inch by inch.
Sure, if you want to nitpick, there’s a difference between the Stars’ six-game loss to Vegas two years ago and last year’s defeat to Edmonton. In 2022, the Golden Knights were in control from the start, and Dallas was playing catch-up. But last season, the Stars had the upper hand—leading the series and boasting the better goalie—only to let it slip away under the relentless pressure of Connor McDavid and the grind of a long playoff run.
Still, none of that matters now. If the Dallas Stars want more than just another “Central Division Champions” banner hanging in the rafters of the American Airlines Center, they’ve got to focus on the here and now. With Oettinger, Johnston, and Stankoven emerging as cornerstone players for the future, the present is looking pretty rewarding—and let’s be honest, entertaining too.
The journey is long, and the Stars are just getting started. As they head out to face Boston and Buffalo, they’re not trying to right the wrongs of last season. Instead, they’re carving out a new path, determined to write a different ending this time around. And if they keep up this pace, that ending could be something special. So, sit back, grab your popcorn, and enjoy the ride because this season? It’s shaping up to be a memorable one.
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