Staff Photographer
Dallas Stars goalie Antti Niemi (31) is introduced before the Anaheim Ducks vs. the Dallas Stars NHL hockey game at the American Airlines Center on Thursday, October 13, 2016. (Louis DeLuca/The Dallas Morning News)
The long journey to the next local title began with an awkward but successful first step Thursday night at American Airlines Center. Just as you thought, the Dallas Stars are all about goaltending and guys named Lauri Korpikoski and Adam Cracknell.
Wait, what?
That first game of 82 doesn't mean a lot beyond shaking off the rust and getting started, and while the Stars looked nothing like the team they hope to become -- outshot by Anaheim 17-1 in the first period -- they did at least offer clues as to why this team is poised to raise a championship banner sooner than the Cowboys, Rangers or Mavericks.