After the Stars’ last playoff game ended in an embarrassing 6-1 defeat to the Ken Hitchcock-coached St. Louis Blues, one thing seemed clear: the Stars would never again take this roster, with this collection of elite talent, back to the playoffs with only Kari Lehtonen driving the bus in goal.
Fast forward two years, and you have to give the Stars credit: they haven’t done that. Mainly because the Stars didn’t get back to the playoffs last year, and don’t look good to do so this year either after ending a marathon road trip with a sixth straight loss.