The Dallas Stars enter the final games of the regular season having established an identity as a “defense first” group that relies on superb goaltending and sporadic offense to win games. Throughout the year, that “defense first” mentality has contained a significant portion of rope-a-dope, allowing teams they’re playing to punch themselves out in the first period. The Stars, finding their legs in the final 40 minutes, have found a way to win more times than not.
Lately, the strategy seems to have taken on a new life. Instead of just facing a shot barrage to start the game, Dallas has taken to giving up an actual goal, forcing themselves to play from behind while getting up to game speed.