First Shift: Stars look to continue epic roll in road trip finale against Kraken

As the Stars head down the stretch on the 2023-24 season, they have the chance to make a little history.

Dallas has won six games in a row. The franchise record is seven.

Jamie Benn’s career-best goal scoring streak is six games – which he tied on Thursday with a goal and an assist against Vancouver.

And with eight games left in the regular season, the Stars are in first place in the Central Division and are battling for the Presidents’ Trophy, given annually to the NHL’s top team in the regular season.

The last time the Stars won the division was in 2015-16. The last time they won the Presidents’ Trophy was 1998-99.

So, we’re talking high cotton here.

“We’re trying to win the Presidents’ Trophy and it’s not every year you can say you’re trying to win the Presidents’ Trophy,” goalie Jake Oettinger said after a 3-1 win over the Pacific-leading Canucks. “We’ve played at times like a Stanley Cup contender, so when we put it all together like we did tonight, we’re really confident.”

In the past 13 games, the Stars are 11-2-0. They lead the NHL in scoring during that span, averaging 4.15 goals per game and have outscored the opposition, 54-33. In addition, they are outshooting the opposition by almost 10 shots on goal per game.

“I like the detail in our game,” Stars coach Pete DeBoer said. “We’re not worried about the results, we’re worried about playing playoff-type detail hockey. Line changes, putting pucks in good places, making sure our special teams are good, making sure our goaltender is good. When you do that and your details are in a good place, usually the results take care of themselves.”

The Stars have had their ups and downs this season, but they may be playing their best hockey right now. Yes, they have taken advantage of a favorable stretch of the schedule, but they have put themselves in place to do that. With a road-heavy schedule to this point, Dallas is 24-9-5 (53 points). The franchise record for road wins is 25 and for road points is 55 (set last season). They have three games and a potential six points remaining on the road, starting Saturday at Seattle.

That, of course, means they have five home games left, including two separate three-day breaks between games, so the opportunity is there to get their game in a terrific spot before the playoffs. Emerging from a 1-1 game in the third period to beat Vancouver was a great sign of where the team is at right now.

“It felt like a playoff game,” said Oettinger. “They’re a great team over there. They’ve been one of the best teams in the league all year, not a lot of flaws in that team. It was a good measuring stick and to get a gritty win like that is huge.”

Now, they have to try to finish the job. There are seven teams within five points at the top of the NHL standings, so there is still a lot on the line in terms of playoff positioning.

“You go through all kinds of adversity throughout the year, injuries and different things, but we found a way every week to win games,” DeBoer said. “I’m proud of our guys.”

Key Numbers

5-1-1
Dallas is 5-1-1 in the regular season against Seattle since they became an expansion team. However, the Kraken pushed the Stars to seven games in the Second Round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season.

13
Stars forward Joe Pavelski has 13 career points (5 goals, 8 assists) in seven career games against Seattle.

901
Stars forward Jamie Benn tallied his 900th and 901st points last game. He ranks second in Stars franchise history in points, games played (1,104), goals (380) and game-winning goals (58).

He Said It

“Joe is Joe. Another 25 goals, another 60 or 70 points, whatever he’s going to end up with, he’s just ageless. And the numbers have never told the story of Joe. Joe’s story is much more about leading by example and taking the young guys under his wing, and showing them the way and playing the right way. I just feel fortunate to have him here.”

- Stars coach Pete DeBoer on 39-year-old Joe Pavelski and his contributions to the team

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.