The benefits of synchronicity, experience, support, and Joe Pavelski

The Stars' top line is at it again, with Jason Robertson collecting 23 points in 15 games, Roope Hintz getting 19 and Joe Pavelski getting 17.
While all three players are playing well, Pavelski gets a little extra credit for being a coach on the ice for the younger players. At 38, Pavelski has seen a lot. "He's like Paul Newman in 'Slap Shot,'" Stars coach Pete DeBoer said at morning skate Tuesday. "He's a player, but he's a coach at the same time."

Pavelski typically downplays talk of his accomplishments at an advanced age, his ability to be a coach on the ice, or his recent climb up the list of American-born goal-scorers. (He's currently tied with Bill Guerin for eighth overall at 429.)
"It's good to score goals," he said with a shrug.
But it's that unfazed manner that makes him such an important player on the ice.
"He hasn't lost a step," DeBoer said. "He's as professional as they come. He really has helped our coaching group coming into a new team and driving the message home quickly. I think there's always a runway there with them getting to know you and what you're preaching. I think that was shortened drastically by having Joe in the room, and us having worked with Joe before. He's been invaluable."

As for the line, they continue to dominate. Robertson and Hintz are each on eight-game scoring streaks and Pavelski has points in six of the past seven games.
"They're always in the vicinity of each other, making little plays with each other," DeBoer said. "I think that's what separates them as a line. I think when you watch other lines, guys are spaced out. There's too much room between them. These guys have the ability to always be on the move and always making little support plays to each other. They think on the same level."
The Stars will have the same lineup again tonight. Jake Oettinger stays in net and Denis Gurianov still is out with an upper body injury.
Key Numbers
8
Both Jason Robertson and Roope Hintz are on eight-game point streaks. Robertson can tie his career-best of nine, set in 2020-21.
30
Tampa Bay forward Steven Stamkos has 30 points (19 goals, 11 assists) in 22 career games against the Stars.
30.4 percent
Dallas ranks third in power play success in the NHL at 30.4 percent. Tampa Bay ranks sixth in penalty kill success at 83.1 percent.
He said it
"That comes from in your dressing room, too. I think your leadership and preparation and a lot of that is hung on those guys."
-Stars coach Pete DeBoer on his team's ability to score early and maintain the lead. Dallas has scored first in 13 of 15 games this season.
Expected lineup
Robertson-Hintz-Pavelski
Marchment-Seguin-Blumel
Benn-Johnston-Dellandrea
Faksa-Glendening-Kiviranta
Heiskanen-Miller
Suter-Lundkvist
Lindell-Hakanpaa
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.