Dallas Stars key statistics

NHL.com is providing in-depth analysis for each of its 31 teams from Nov. 16-Dec. 16. Today, three key statistics for the Dallas Stars.

Stars 31 IN 31: [Season preview | 3 Questions | Top prospects | Fantasy breakdown]

1. 5-on-5 save percentage

The Stars were tied with the Colorado Avalanche for second in the NHL last season with a .932 save percentage at 5-on-5, trailing only the Boston Bruins (.933). Anton Khudobin had a .945 save percentage at even strength, which led NHL goalies who played at least 20 games, and Ben Bishop was tied for 13th at .924. The Stars re-signed Khudobin to a three-year contract Oct. 9, and he is expected to be their starter when the season begins (targeted for Jan. 1, 2021) after Bishop had surgery on his right knee Oct. 21 and is expected to need five months to recover.

2. 5-on-5 shooting percentage

Dallas was 29th in 5-on-5 shooting percentage last season at 6.7 percent, which resulted in them scoring 109 goals at 5-on-5, the second-fewest in the League (Detroit Red Wings, 91). Forward Tyler Seguin's 5-on-5 shooting percentage of 5.1 percent was his lowest in his seven seasons with the Stars, and his 17 goals were his fewest in a full season since he scored 11 as a rookie with the Boston Bruins in 2010-11. Seguin had surgery on his right hip Nov. 2 and is expected to need five months to recover, so Dallas will need increased scoring from other players. One candidate is forward Joel Kiviranta. Last season he scored one goal in 11 regular-season games; when he was on the ice at 5-on-5, the Stars had a 1.6 percent shooting percentage, the lowest among their 15 forwards who played at least 10 regular-season games. But Kiviranta scored five goals in 14 postseason games and Dallas had a 16.4 percent shooting percentage at 5-on-5 when he was on the ice, first among Dallas forwards. Kiviranta's 16.7 percent shooting percentage at 5-on-5 in the postseason was tied for third on the Stars with forward Denis Gurianov and defenseman Joel Hanley, behind forwards Joe Pavelski (22.2 percent) and Alexander Radulov (20.7 percent).

3. Denis Gurianov's goals per 60

Gurianov led Dallas with 1.17 goals per 60 minutes of 5-on-5 ice time (minimum 10 games) as a rookie last season. He scored 13 even-strength goals, third on the Stars behind forward Roope Hintz (14) and Seguin (14), and second among NHL rookies behind Chicago Blackhawks forward Dominik Kubalik (26). Gurianov's success carried into the postseason, when he was fifth in the NHL with 1.38 goals per 60 minutes of 5-on-5 ice time (minimum 15 games), behind forwards Andre Burakovsky of the Colorado Avalanche (2.23), Brayden Point of the Tampa Bay Lightning (1.61), Scott Laughton of the Philadelphia Flyers (1.53) and Mark Stone of the Vegas Golden Knights (1.41). Gurianov was 12th among Stars forwards with an average of 11:05 of ice time at even strength in 2019-20 but likely will see a bigger role this season.