THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS
Dallas Stars head coach Lindy Ruff in a game against the Winnipeg Jets during the second period of play at American Airlines Center in Dallas on Thursday, February 25, 2016. (Vernon Bryant/The Dallas Morning News)
Thursday morning, Stars coach Lindy Ruff was talking about how he liked the fact his team was being pushed in a battle for the Central Division championship.
After all, finishing first would ensure the top seed in the playoffs, allow the team to avoid a first-round match-up with Chicago or St. Louis, and give Dallas its first division title since 2005-06.