Entering tonight’s game, the Dallas Stars found themselves staring down the very definition of mediocre. They had a 17-17-8 record, amassing 42 points in 42 games. That’s just an 82 point pace, not nearly good enough if the team hopes to make the playoffs even with the parity of mediocrity the majority of Western Conference teams seem to be experiencing this season.
Detroit’s season hasn’t gone any better. They had only collected 40 points heading into tonight’s contest, and are in a weird place in the standings (for them) – looking up at a lot of teams ahead of them, not even close to a playoff spot.