Dallas Stars Opening Night

Timothy Lopez

It is finally opening night! Yes, game 1 of 82. While the sting of game 6, 6-0 to the eventually Stanley Cup Champions Golden Knight, still lingers we can finally look forward to the home opener against the Blues. These two teams do have a heated rivalry: pretty much since the move to Dallas 30 years ago. Yes, we will talk about the 30 years of this franchise, however we will look at the past 10 years of these two teams. Since the 2013-14 season, 30 games have been played between the two teams, with St. Louis have the advantage of 19-11, in the regular season, 2-0 playoff series wins, both ending in game 7. Last series was in 2019, where St. Louis won the Stanely Cup against the Boston Bruins, in game 7. (Man, what was up with that team, and game 7s during that playoff run? 4-2, 4-3, 4-2, 4-3) You will have two goaltenders that will try to be at their A game, from the get-go. Jake Oettinger (37-11-11, GAA 2.37, SV% .919) will be looking to stay the course, if not, be better this season, than ever before. Does he have the skill level for it? Yes, he does. Will he show it? He is going to need to if the defensive lines let him hang out to dry.

The other side: Jordan Binnington (27-27-6, GAA 3.31, SV% .894) Last season was his first rough season, since being called up in the 18-19 season. Now, just because St. Louis didn’t really make a BIG splash during the office season, it doesn’t mean that they’re going to sleepwalk, right out the gate. I am not even going to consider that St. Louis will be last in the league. St. Louis did not sign a high free agent during the offseason and were sellers last season, however I expect them to be a juggernaut.

Everybody is healthy this season, Dallas, and St. Louis respectfully. All NHL teams believe that their team can win it all. Rightfully so. Even teams that NHL fans would not even consider. (Here is looking to you Arizona… or Houston?) For Dallas to be successful, everyone; from the players, coaches, and management needs to be on their A pluses. So, with that being said, here is to a great 23-24 season, and let’s go Stars!