Stars discuss execution in preparation for a daunting schedule

NHL players and coaches are typically focused on their next game, so they don't usually have time to look at stretches in a season.
But because Dallas has a run of good teams before the All-Star break, this particular segment is a little different.

"We've talked about the group of teams we've got here between now and the break, and it's a daunting schedule," Stars coach Pete DeBoer said. "A lot of playoff teams, a lot of elite teams, so I think that our game needs to be sharp, we have to be at a really good level, our execution has to be really good in order to pick up points."

The Rangers sit 10th in points percentage with a 23-12-7 record. They are 4-0-2 in their past six games. Dallas then gets a visit from Calgary on Saturday, and that should be intense because of last year's seven-game playoff series. And then it's off to Vegas (sixth overall in points percentage), San Jose (28th overall, but 1-1-0 against the Stars this season) and LA (11th overall) before the team starts an eight-game homestand which includes games against Buffalo, New Jersey, Carolina, Tampa Bay and Boston.
It will be a test for a team who has handled adversity well this season. That said, the Stars have taken wins in their past two games, in large part, because goalie Jake Oettinger has been excellent. They had a slow start against the Panthers and were outplayed by the Islanders, but they still have four points from those two games and are 6-2-0 in their past eight games.
"I think we got fortunate in the Island a little bit, we got great goaltending, but I think our game can be better than it was there," DeBoer said.
When asked if the team needed more of a 60-minute effort, DeBoer clarified the wording.
"I don't think it's effort, I think it's execution," he said. "And I think some of these teams can make you look bad for stretches."
The Stars know what happened last game, and they want to help Oettinger out on Thursday.
"We gave up lots of odd-man rushes and that wasn't good," said forward Radek Faksa. "But Jakey was huge for us, and he won the game for us, and sometimes that happens."

Key Numbers
10-7-4
The Rangers are 14th in home record at 10-7-4. The Stars are seventh in road record at 13-7-3
57
The Stars rank second in third period scoring with 57 goals. The Rangers are tied for third with 54.
3-6
The Stars are coming off a shootout win but are 3-6 in games that go past regulation this season. The Rangers are also coming off a shootout win but are 4-7 in overtime/shootout games.
He said it
"Lot of respect for the team. I had a good time here, I learned a lot from my year here, and they took good care of me. It's going to be a good game today."
- Stars defenseman Nils Lundkvist on facing his old team at Madison Square Garden.
Expected lineup
Robertson-Seguin-Pavelski
Benn-Johnston-Marchment
Gurianov-Faksa-Dellandrea
Olofsson-Glendening-Kiviranta
Heiskanen-Miller
Lindell-Hakanpää
Suter-Lundkvist
Oettinger
Wedgewood
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club.
Mike Heika is a Senior Staff Writer for DallasStars.com and has covered the Stars since 1994. Follow him on Twitter @MikeHeika.