Stars’ depth continues to shine amidst dominant run

One of the top teams in the NHL continues to be successful not just because of the big names, but also because players lower in the lineup are rising to the occasion.

Following a 7-2 thrashing of the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday night, the Dallas Stars have been on an absolute tear. Along with winning three straight games, the team has picked up a point in 14 consecutive contests. This, as the team has been missing the likes of Roope Hintz and Mikko Rantanen.

Thanks to everyone contributing in Dallas, the Stars have kept pace with the Colorado Avalanche for the NHL’s best record.

On Friday’s edition of Daily Faceoff LIVE, Tyler Yaremchuk and Colby Cohen explain how depth has played a major role in the Stars’ success this season.

Tyler Yaremchuk: They basically haven’t been healthy all season. Yet, they’ve put together this masterful 41-14-10 record. Not only are they 9-0-1 in their last 10 games, but they have not lost a game in regulation since January 22nd. I know the Olympic break kind of makes that feel a little bit longer than it actually is, but we’re bordering on two months where the only game this team has lost is [in extra time]. They are absolutely unstoppable right now.

Colby Cohen: When you look at it, and you look at the production and the depth scoring that they’re getting right now, I mean, they’ve got eight guys with 30 points, and then the next two guys with [Jamie] Benn and [Thomas] Harley, they don’t have 30 points. They’re at 29 and 28, but they’ve played 43 and 53 games, right? You’re talking about almost 10 players on that team that are at half a point a game. Obviously, a guy like Wyatt Johnston, he’s at his highest career point totals already with a number of games left in the season. So, you kind of add the fact that a lot of guys are having career years. I mean, Sam Steel, 31 points is a career year for him.

Then you look at how guys have fallen into their roles so well within the depth chart, right? Matt Duchene has found the fountain of youth for another season. Last year, he had it. This year, he seems to have it when he’s healthy. Jamie Benn is adding in. Justin Hryckowian has really become a solid third-line center and almost has that agitator in him and willingness to go play hard, go play heavy. Michael Bunting, I mean, who wouldn’t want that guy on their roster? That continues all the way down the sheet for this team. S, if they get top-end goaltending, it’s hard to see who’s going to beat them this year. 

You can watch the full segment and entire episode here…