No team ever wants to be in this position, especially the Dallas Stars.
With the end of each NHL regular season, every team typically faces one of four different scenarios. They are either locked into a playoff spot and gearing up for the Stanley Cup race, already eliminated by mathematics and left out to prepare for the next year, sitting somewhat comfortably in a playoff spot but still in danger, or sitting on the outside and needing some help.
The Stars are in that fourth position. It’s not the ideal one to be in with only five games to go in the season, but at least it’s not the second one, right?