2. Special teams prowess
The Stars rank second in power play percentage this season (30.1) behind the Edmonton Oilers (32.6), and Johnston leads the league in power play goals (22). Dallas also ranks in the top 10 in field goal percentage (80.8; 10th) and fewest shots on goal allowed per game (26.5; seventh).
With a defense led by Miro Heiskanen, Thomas Harley And Esa Lindellthe Stars also strengthened this group by acquiring Tyler Myers from the Vancouver Canucks before the NHL trade deadline. Heiskanen ranks fifth among defensemen in power play points (22), and the Stars have three of the NHL’s top 10 skaters in that category: Johnston (36; third), Robertson (33; fifth) and Rantanen (30; tied for seventh).
Heiskanen is one of the best all-around defensemen in the NHL, and his skating yardage metrics support that claim. Heiskanen is among the top defensemen in power play skating distance (31.68 miles; fifth) and shorthanded skating distance (21.64 miles; tied for ninth). Lindell ranks second among defensemen in shorthanded skating distance (26.23; fifth overall in the NHL).
3. Improvement of possessions
Before the Stars’ 14-game point streak, they ranked 30th out of 32 teams in 5-on-5 shot attempt percentage (45.7). During Dallas’ 14-game point streak, the team has improved significantly in this key possession category, ranking fourth in the league since Jan. 23 (53.2 percent).
The Stars’ best possession player in terms of shot attempt differential at 5-on-5 during the streak with at least one point was Harley (plus-57; tied for 23rd in the NHL over the entire period). Harley also stands out in shots by location and ranks in the 85th percentile or higher among defenders in the following categories:
• Mid-range shots on goal: 25 (88th percentile)
• Long-range shots on goal: 49 (85th percentile)
• High danger objectives: 2 (86th percentile)
Although the Stars will likely face Minnesota, who are tied for third in the NHL standings (38-16-12; 88 points), in the first round of the playoffs, Dallas is arguably as tough a team from top to bottom as Colorado. After reaching the Western Conference Finals in each of the last three seasons, Dallas is looking to finally get over the hump thanks to some key adjustments under coach Glen Gulutzan in his second tenure with the team.
