Afterwords: A Stressful (Yet Successful) Start

Credit: Tim Heitman / Dallas StarsThe title says it all, but let me reiterate: that was (to me) a stressful way to start the season.

Don’t get me wrong — I’m not saying the Dallas Stars played poorly. They were great, actually, looking every bit like a team that made the Western Conference Finals last year and are a bona fide Stanley Cup Contender heading into the season. But gosh dang it, watching them have to eek out a 2-1 shootout win against the St. Louis Blues is not how I’d like for them to kick things off.

Granted, maybe we’re not giving the St. Louis Blues enough credit here. I know they plummeted down the standings last year, and are largely expected to miss the playoffs this year…