Lindy Ruff laid it our pretty plainly Sunday.
Coming off a disheartening loss in Chicago that dropped the Stars to 26th in the league in winning percentage at .467, Ruff said the team will have to respond in a stretch in which it plays eight of the next nine games at home.
"This will be the season for us, I really feel," Ruff said.
That comment sparked some concern from fans about overreaction, as the 11-13-6 Stars will be only at game 39 on an 82-game schedule when this stretch ends Jan. 4. But Ruff has reason for his prediction.