'It's a restart': Why Stars could benefit from break when season resumes

Too much thinking might have been a problem for the Stars in a six-game winless streak that ended February and started March.

But having time to think during the NHL's pause in the schedule to deal with the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus might provide a clearer mind. While much of the talk during the slump that ended with Dallas tallying three goals in four games revolved around the team's lack of scoring, the discussions since then have actually been about team defense.

Yes, the Stars want to score more goals, but their obsession with the subject might have caused more harm than good.

"I find that conversation so funny sometimes," forward Jason Dickinson told DallasStars.com. "'You need to score more goals, you need to score more goals…' Well, we were third in the conference, we were at the top of the league in goals against, we were doing just fine. If we're winning, what does it matter? It really doesn't matter how you get it done, it's just that you find a way to get it done."

The Stars sit 10th in the NHL in points percentage at .594 and fourth in the West -- and that's after that bad stretch before the pause. They are second in goals against at 2.52 per game, and they continue to be one of the best teams in the league in terms of defense and goaltending.

So as they get a chance to study every second of video this season, they are coming to a conclusion that's pretty much shared.

"We've been in the top 10 all year, and we've been in the top two or three defensively all year. The team is doing a lot of good things, and we can't lose sight of that," Stars interim coach Rick Bowness said.

"We were all thrilled with our month of February and we were challenging for first place in the conference, so we know what we can do. Let's put it this way: We were all feeling better about our play than the record indicated."

When you consider the Stars got off to a 1-7-1 start and fired their head coach in December, the fact they are where they are is a remarkable feat. It's also a repeatable feat. The team got to this place by creating offense from defense and sticking to a strong discipline. They got sideways, they believe, when they wandered away from that team strategy.

"We are what we are, and when we're on our game, we're incredibly hard to play against and we actually are generating more offensive opportunities than the opposition," Bowness said. "That's who we are, that's how this team is built, and that's what we do when we're at our best. I know there is a lot of talk about this team not scoring goals, but we can't let the noise distract us from doing what we do best.

"We will generate enough scoring chances for us to win hockey games, that we're convinced of. We have a ton of confidence in that."

According to Natural Stat Trick, Dallas ranks eighth in high-danger scoring chances for at 640. They rank seventh in having the fewest high-danger scoring chances against at 555. That is at the center of what Bowness wants to do. If his team is getting more scoring chances than the opposition, he believes it will win more games.

That's how the team functioned when it has played its best. It defends with speed, frustrates the opposition, and creates scoring chances from defensive play. And while the offensive numbers for individuals are consistently down, there is a feeling that these players can rebound. In fact, with a chance to get healthy and refreshed, some of the veterans could benefit in the playoffs.

Joe Pavelski and Corey Perry each have played 134 playoff games. Ben Bishop has 49 in net. Alexander Radulov has a wealth of international playoff experience.

"We have a good mix of young guys who can skate and veteran presence, and I think that can be a good combination in the playoffs," said Stars general manager Jim Nill. "Veterans can be a calming influence and be able to handle the extreme situations that arise in the playoffs, and the players who are young might be ready to go more quickly. It's an unknown for everybody, but I think we're as well situated as anybody."

Especially if they're on the same page with their thinking when games start again.

"This break should benefit us," Dickinson said. "Guys can forget about that stretch. It's a restart, and those game are behind us. Now, we can go out and do what we do best."

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, and listen to his podcast.