The Stars also believe they're ready to put on a good show. They were inconsistent on the road trip and struggled to score goals. But they created a ton of chances in the third period at Pittsburgh Tuesday and believe they're getting their game together.
"Just Dallas Stars hockey, which was kind of last game," said Seguin when asked what the team was striving for. "It can be to the eye a little boring and maybe repetitive, but it's how we're successful. We defend well, we compete hard, we win games 2-1, we're pesky, we're dirty and ugly, but that's nice to see against a team like Pittsburgh] that has been really buzzing and scoring a lot of goals."
Seguin has yet to get a goal this season, but said he felt he took some strides last game. The 29-year-old center played just three games last season and still is trying to get fully healthy after a couple of surgeries. He said he's remaining patient with the process.
"My shots, that's where I get a lot of my personal game flow from," Seguin said when asked how he judges his game. "My first few games, I think it was two shots, one shot, one shot, those are little tiny things, little details. Then, last game there were five shots there and you build and build and you get your game back. I'm not that discouraged, just focused on the enjoyment of being back in the NHL."
Seguin isn't alone in his adjustments. Alexander Radulov missed most of last season and is working his way back into a groove. Roope Hintz played through injury last season and then had surgery in the offseason.
"It's going to take some time," Bowness said.
Being at home will help. In addition to the coach getting to control matchups, there's just something to sleeping in your own bed.
"Four games and it felt like three weeks to start the year," Seguin said of tough games at the Rangers, Bruins, Senators and Penguins in which the team went 2-2-0. "We're happy to be home. It's tough starting on the road, especially where we started. We got .500 on the road, and we'll take that. But now the emphasis is how we're going to play at home this year, and why not start in the opener?"
It would be nice for the fans, who had to watch on TV while the team made a trip to the Stanley Cup Final in 2020. In a perfect world, maybe the Stars can repeat that performance in a season where the buildings are open.
"I wish we could experience the Stanley Cup Final again, that would be nice if we could have the home fans, that would be an even greater experience and hopefully a better ending too," said forward Radek Faksa. "It motivates me to get back into the Stanley Cup Final because it was the best feeling in my career so far."
Stars fans would love to say the same thing.
Be there when Texas Hockey comes home this Friday as the Stars face the Los Angeles Kings at American Airlines Center! The festivities begin with Party on PNC Plaza at 5:30 p.m. and all fans are encouraged to be in their seats by 7 p.m. Don't miss out, [get your tickets now!
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.
