The NHL this year wants to crack down on slashing and also on cheating in the faceoff circles, and the result of that initiative in preseason has been a significant increase in special teams play.
So will this carry over into the regular season and how could increased special teams play affect the Stars?
"It's huge," said Stars defenseman Marc Methot. "How much will special teams be a factor? I don't want to spend the whole game on special teams, but I think it's inevitable we see some change."
When the NHL last had a crackdown on hooking and holding in the 2005-06 season, the Kings and Coyotes led the league with 541 power play opportunities apiece.