Heika's Take: Tearing up the record book in the best way

The Stars' record book is a tattered mess these days.
Each night, somebody is rewriting some sort of numerical milestone, either since the team moved to Dallas in 1993 or since the franchise started in Minnesota in 1967. The erasing and scribbling continued on Wednesday in St. Louis.
Miro Heiskanen registered two assists and now has 73 points, exceeding Sergei Zubov's Dallas Stars record of 71 and closing in on Craig Hartsburg's franchise record of 77 set in 1981-82.
Jason Robertson tallied three helpers and now has 109 points, most for any player since the team moved from Minnesota and second behind the franchise mark of 114 set by Bobby Smith in 1981-82.
And the team tied the franchise record for most road wins in a season (25) set in 2005-06.

As they prepare to close the regular season on Thursday at home against the Blues, this team continues to do big things. Tyler Seguin had a goal and an assist while playing in his 900th career regular season game. Wyatt Johnston had two goals and moved into second in rookie goal-scoring this season with 23 on the season. Robertson's three assists give him 34 on the season, tying Dino Ciccarelli, who set the mark in 1981-82.
So quite a bit of fun here, and oh yeah, their 5-2 victory was their fifth win in a row and moves them one point ahead of Colorado for first place in the Central Division. The Avalanche still control their own destiny and can claim the title if they win their final two games, but Dallas is doing everything it can to make it tough.
"It was an important win," said Stars coach Pete DeBoer. "We want to keep the pressure on Colorado and keep our hopes alive to win the division. That was the goal coming on the road trip, to take care of our business and win two games, and we did that."

This victory gets piled on top of a 6-1 win in Detroit on Monday and is an example of just how good this team can be. The power play was 3-for-5 and set the franchise record for best power play road performance in a season at 25.9 percent. The Stars top unit of Heiskanen, Robertson, Joe Pavelski, Roope Hintz and Jamie Benn has been together for most of the season, and that's one of the reasons it's been clicking so much.
"It was easy to keep them together because they had success early," DeBoer said. "It wasn't smooth all the way through. We had some bumps. But they worked their way out of that and developed some good chemistry. They just work off each other."
That's a big reason why some many records are falling. Dallas has 280 goals this season, up from 233 last season, and that includes 64 power play goals, up from 54.
"We've scored a lot of goals this season, and a lot of guys are reaping the benefits," Robertson said.

He's been on a tear with 33 points in his last 21 games, and it's allowed him to post the second best scoring season in franchise history.
Heiskanen is also setting records. With the departure of John Klingberg to free agency, Heiskanen moved up to the top power play unit, and that's been a key to his success. He is second on the team in power play points at 34 after getting just 11 last season.
"That's big when you get on the first unit," Robertson said. "You find that gel, that chemistry. It takes a while, but we've stayed the same five the whole season, so that's definitely part of it."
Robertson has already surpassed Mike Modano's Dallas records, so it's fitting that Heiskanen has moved past Zubov. Both players have their numbers retired by the organization.
"It's impressive," Robertson said. "Zubov's jersey is in the rafters for a reason, so kudos to him."
DeBoer said it's the kind of season that will have people putting Heiskanen's name among the top defensemen in the league, like Cale Makar, Adam Fox and Erik Karlsson.
"He's an elite defenseman and he's put himself in that conversation with Makar and Fox and Karlsson and all of those guys with the numbers he's put up this year," DeBoer said. "And he's done it without affecting his defensive game. He plays against all of the best players too."
Heiskanen is fifth in defenseman scoring and sixth in time on ice in the NHL. Many have called Heiskanen a top defenseman for years, but the numbers certainly help that argument get even stronger.
"It's been unbelievable to watch him play," Johnston said. "He's so effortless, so good out there. I'm really happy for him. That just kind of shows it statistically and not just the eye test when you're watching him on the ice."

Johnston is just 19, but now ranks second in the league among rookie goal-scorers with 23. He tallied the all-important first goal when he picked up a rebound and flicked it off the back of Blues goalie Joel Hofer.
"It's actually something I like to look for," Johnston said. "If you're behind the net and the goalie is not on his post, with the angles, if you shoot off the back, there's a pretty good chance of it going in."
The Blues tied things up at 2-2, but then the Stars power play went to work. Hintz scored his 38th goal, Johnston got his second of the game, and Seguin added his 21st goal of the season for a 5-2 lead in the second period. Scott Wedgewood then held the fort the rest of the way, and the Stars moved to 46-21-14, good for 106 points. The Avalanche have 105 and can still move ahead of Dallas. However, if the two teams end up tied, the Stars win the division because of the first tiebreaker, which is regulation wins (38-34).
If the Stars win the division, they will play Seattle in the first round. If they take second, they will play Minnesota. Either way, Dallas just wants to win on Thursday and finish the season strong.
"Everyone wants to feel good and confident with scoring, just feeling the puck, especially on the power play," Robertson said. "But I think we have to stay in the neutral, humble, simple median and not get too far ahead of ourselves. The playoffs are different. You're not going to get as many power plays or looks, so you have to bear down."
For now, though, it sure feels nice tearing up the record book and getting ready for post-season play.
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