The stat that proves the Dallas Stars are being underestimated

The Dallas Stars may be overlooked heading into 2025-26, but a stat from last season, ranking third in the NHL in goals per game, proves their depth scoring makes them far more dangerous than analysts give them credit for.

The Dallas Stars are entering the 2025-26 season with plenty of attention on big names like Jason Robertson, Mikko Rantanen, and Jake Oettinger, but one number from last season might be the strongest argument that they're still flying under the radar.

While the spotlight often shifts to other contenders, the Stars quietly tied for third in the NHL in goals per game, averaging 3.35. That put them in the same breath as Tampa Bay and Washington, two teams known for their firepower.

For a franchise that has made three straight trips to the Western Conference Final, being that high on the scoring charts proves their depth is more dangerous than people realize. It also suggests that Dallas has more balance than most of the teams they'll be battling for playoff spots this spring.

Why Dallas's offensive depth makes them so difficult to play against

The difference for Dallas isn't just that Robertson, Rantanen, and Roope Hintz can fill the net, it's that production doesn't fall off when the lines roll over. The Stars were one of the few teams in the league to consistently get secondary scoring, with Matt Duchene and Wyatt Johnston chipping in behind the top trio.

That balance has been a hallmark of Jim Nill's roster construction.

One Western Conference scout described it perfectly:

"Teams with that kind of scoring balance are built differently - they don't need one guy to go off to win, they just wear you down shift after shift."

Even head coach Glen Gulutzan has emphasized that the Stars' system is built to generate goals across the lineup, not just through the stars. Last season's numbers show it worked - and with more chemistry expected this year, it could be even scarier.

Personally, I think this is the exact kind of stat that separates contenders from true Cup favorites. The Stars have proven they can win with depth, not just stars.