Some tough memories in there.
But if ever the hockey gods have ponied up the karma in crypto form, it's 2022.
This month has included a three-goal rally against the Kings, Jason Robertson's memorable overtime rush and celebration, his subsequent back-to-back hat tricks, huge wins against the Canadiens, Capitals and Oilers, and then Scott Wedgewood's memorable debut on Thursday in Raleigh.
I mean, are you not entertained?
The running complaint for some fans has been that this franchise plays a "boring" style of hockey. They defend too much at times, they dump and chase too much at times, they simply don't finish their chances enough. And the numbers back this up.
Dallas is a middle-of-the-pack team when it comes to scoring, it's routinely among the worst in the league in even-strength scoring, and it usually is in the bottom third in shooting percentage. So, fair enough.
They've made up for that at times this season. From the 9-1 mark in overtime, to the style points of the top line, to the human-interest stories, it's been a really fun season.
As you're jotting down notable accomplishments in your daily diary, you can cite:
Tying the franchise record for longest winning streak at seven games.
Having a player get back-to-back hat tricks for the first time since the team moved to Dallas in 1993.
Milestone goals for Joe Pavelski and Tyler Seguin.
Goals in NHL debuts for both Jacob Peterson and Riley Damiani.
Riley Tufte's first NHL goal in front of his friends and families at his hometown arena in Minnesota.
And most saves by a goalie (44) making his franchise debut.
The Wedgewood performance was both pleasing to the eyes and to the heart. The 29-year-old goalie is good friends with Seguin and a few other players. He came to the Stars as a Hail Mary with three injured goalies. And yet it seems like the gears of the universe have placed him here.
"I've done a gone job getting rid of the demons in my mind over the last couple years, working with some mental strengthening coaches and things like that," Wedgewood said of a journey that's landed him in Dallas in the middle of a playoff race - the first in his NHL career. "It's paid dividends. I'm a realist, that's the way my personality is. They're a good team, they're shooting, they're coming, they've got players. But now it's next rep. The blue paint is my blue paint, and it doesn't matter who it is."
Even when you just go to the "everyday stuff," that's been fun too. Obviously, some of the Robertson goals have been SportsCenter worthy, but just look at the last few by Roope Hintz. His goal against Edmonton made you forget what Connor McDavid had done. His two goals against Carolina make you think the Stars might have one of the best players in the league.
As much as it's scary to face a team like Colorado with Nathan MacKinnon or Minnesota with Kirill Kaprizov, opponents have to fear the Hintz line with Robertson and Pavelski. It really can change a game in a moment's notice.
And that's fun for fans. It's fun to have one of those guys on your team, let alone three. It's fun to know that no game is ever out of reach.
Yes, there still is some work to do, and yes, March isn't over yet. But with 10 of 14 on the road, this month has Et tu, Brute written all over it.
And it hasn't turned out that way.
So take a deep breath, hope that the team's good luck in goal keeps up, and that these legionaries continue to do good things. Once the Stars get through this historically depressing 31 days, there could some good times ahead. The schedule turns, the weather brightens, and maybe we can all enjoy the success of Aprils (or Augusts) past.
It would be a nice change of script.
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.
