The Dallas Stars are viewed as a legitimate Stanley Cup contender, but as the playoffs get closer, certain flaws in their game have started to draw attention from analysts and fans, creating a mix of optimism and concern in Dallas.
The regular season has shown flashes of dominance from this roster, yet also moments where critical weaknesses have been exposed.
These aren't problems that can be ignored, especially when the postseason turns every mistake into a potential turning point.
Even with star power up front and one of the league's best young goaltenders, there's a feeling that the margin for error is razor thin.
One of the biggest talking points has been the Stars' power play.
Despite having elite names like Jason Robertson and Roope Hintz, Dallas has hovered around the middle of the league in efficiency.
Special teams often decide playoff games, and as NHL.com has noted, the Stars must find ways to generate more dangerous looks when they have the man advantage.
Defensive depth is another question mark.
While Miro Heiskanen anchors the blue line, the drop-off after him is noticeable, and an injury to the top pairing could quickly become a nightmare scenario.
Sportsnet recently discussed the idea of Dallas adding a veteran defenseman before the trade deadline to stabilize the group.
Goaltending consistency is also on the radar.
Jake Oettinger has proven he can rise to the occasion, but the challenge will be sustaining that level under playoff pressure.
As The Athletic pointed out, he's shown brilliance in stretches, but the Stars will need it every night in the postseason.
Lastly, secondary scoring remains a concern.
If the top line is shut down, players deeper in the lineup must step up.
Personally, I think this could be the deciding factor in whether Dallas survives a tough playoff series or not.
The Stars' championship hopes will come down to solving these issues in the coming weeks, and fans know the clock is ticking.
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