Johnny Gaudreau finished second in NHL scoring this season with 115 points (40 goals, 75 assists) in 82 games, and his linemates Matthew Tkachuk (42 goals, 62 assists, 104 points) and Elias Lindholm (42 goals, 40 assists, 82 points) also posted career seasons, helping drive the Flames to the Pacific Division Championship.
Dallas, meanwhile, was led by Joe Pavelski, Roope Hintz and Jason Robertson, as the trio combined for 44 percent of the team's goals.
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So how do these two teams attack each other? Well, Stars coach Rick Bowness said much of their strategy will be reaction to what the Flames do. Because the series starts in Calgary, the Flames get the last change at home. If they choose to put the best lines against one another head-to-head, the Stars will have to adjust.
"We're starting on the road, so they'll have the first matchup when we get there and we'll figure it out as the game goes on," Bowness said.
The Stars have used a checking line in Radek Faksa with Michael Raffl and Luke Glendening, and also have spread their checking line players on three lines at times. Still, if they have to go head-to-head, the fact Hintz is such a good two-way player allows Bowness to consider him as an equal to almost any player.
"Roope, he's the guy right now, he's our best forward on both ends of the ice," Bowness said. "When he's on, he's tough to stop. You talk about Jamie Benn and Colorado's Nathan] Mackinnon and [Edmonton's Connoris a Senior Staff Writer for DallasStars.com and has covered the Stars since 1994. Follow him on Twitter @MikeHeika*.
