The Dallas Stars’ expectations heading into the 2016-17 season were big. They were coming into the year after having won the Central Division Title and the Western Conference in the regular season. Although they fell to the St. Louis Blues in Game 7 of the second round of the playoffs, they were meant to build upon that performance and dominate.
As we know, however, that did not happen. They fell victim to a number of obstacles and were mathematically eliminated from the postseason a few weeks before the conclusion of the regular season.
While elimination is negative regardless of how it is painted, the Stars have value in seeing what young players can do in the final games of the regular season.