Need for speed: Stars progressing on offense, but there's work to be done

FRISCO, Texas --The Stars on Monday saw a glimpse of the kind of hockey they want to play this season.
Now, they have to try to turn those brief moments into consistent 60-minute performances.

In playing their first preseason game with a mostly NHL lineup -- including what might be the opening-night defense corps -- Dallas had a 39-30 advantage in shots on goal and a 75-49 edge in shot attempts against the Colorado Avalanche at American Airlines Center. And while the Stars lost the game, 3-1, they came away with the feeling that they know where they are going.
"I think there definitely were moments when we incorporated it, and it looked good and it led to offense," head coach Pete DeBoer said of his plan to play a faster brand of hockey. "But there's still moments where we getting stuck and slowing it down, and we just have to break some habits."
The preseason has been a mixed bag as the Stars have tried to look at a lot of players and also implement a new way of playing hockey. DeBoer said that he's hoping as his group gets smaller and the intensity level of preseason games ramps up, that things will look more natural.

That said, it won't happen without some hard work.
"For me, we still have to play faster in all three zones - breaking out through the neutral zone and in the offense zone, we still get stuck too much," he said. "So we're just working on playing quicker."
The Stars focused on those elements Tuesday in practice and will continue to try to push the pace while staying calm. It's a bit of a balancing act, and it requires timing and teamwork, and those things generally improve over time.
"There are a lot of things falling into place - understanding how we're playing and being able to play quicker just through that," said Joe Pavelski, who led the Stars in scoring last season. "It's line after line starting to fall into place, so the attack is there."
Asked what the steps are to learning to play fast, Pavelski said preparation and awareness are key.

"It's just being ready, knowing what the next play is, where your support is, where your outs are," he said. "Everyone has been on the same page, and that allows you to create that rush."
Chemistry is going to be huge, but it has to be with more than just your linemates. DeBoer said he is looking at lines right now, but that's tough when Jason Robertson isn't in camp yet. The restricted free agent led the team in goals last season but has yet to sign a new contract. If he's not in camp on opening night, DeBoer said the economics will change how the team can use its forward depth.
But adjusting to that is part of the job of the coaches and players. Just as it is with injuries, you have to be flexible. Of course, the best way to do that is for everyone to play the same way.
That's part of the process in training camp. Of course, so is finding a way to score goals. Despite the possession dominance on Monday, the Stars scored just one goal. Last season, they were seventh in scoring chance for different at 55.8 percent, according to Natural Stat Trick. However, they finished 21st in scoring at 2.84 goals per game.
So, using the speed to score goals is also part of the process.

"That's something that we've lacked a little bit," Pavelski said of finishing around the net. "We've had some really good looks and they'll start going in. You keep doing the right things and you'll get those opportunities."
But persistence is a requirement. DeBoer has reshaped teams before and said his previous gigs have included some growing pains.
"Before your group is moving seamlessly without thinking about it, I don't know the answer to that, but it's not Game 1 and it might not be Game 10," he said. "I think in my history of coming into new programs, it's probably Thanksgiving where you start to feel like where, 'OK, we're getting this,' and it becomes second nature. But this is a smart group and maybe they'll pick it up quicker."
Because that's how they have to play if they want to win.
"You just need to keep improving," said defenseman Jani Hakanpää. "In this league, I think it's the key to success. You have to be able to break the puck out and create offensive zone time. I think we're going to be on that all year, and it's going to be a work in progress."

Preseason: Stars at Avalanche

Wednesday, 8:30 p.m. CT
Where: Ball Arena, Denver
TV:TNT
Radio:None
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club.
Mike Heikais a Senior Staff Writer for DallasStars.com and has covered the Stars since 1994. Follow him on Twitter @MikeHeika.