Congratulations to Team USA on clinching their first gold medal in 46 years-a thrilling journey for American hockey fans. Between the excitement, early mornings, and celebratory snacks, it’s been quite the ride. But now, the Olympics are behind us, and it’s time to dive back into the NHL season as we sprint toward the playoffs.
The Dallas Stars are sitting pretty with a 34-14-9 record, totaling 77 points. They’re comfortably in third place in the Central Division, just a point behind the Minnesota Wild and six behind the Colorado Avalanche.
With a 13-point lead over the first wild-card spot, their playoff position is nearly secure. But the road ahead is anything but a cakewalk.
Stars Shine at the Olympics
The Olympics offered a unique perspective this year, especially with several Dallas Stars players representing their countries. Seven Stars headed to Italy, and six returned with medals.
Jake Oettinger snagged gold for Team USA, while Thomas Harley earned silver with Canada. Mikko Rantanen, Esa Lindell, Roope Hintz, and Miro Heiskanen each took home bronze with Finland, while Radek Faksa and Team Czechia fell just short in the quarter-finals.
Rantanen led his Stars teammates with two goals and six points. Heiskanen followed closely with two goals and five points, while Hintz and Harley each added a goal and four points. Lindell contributed three points, and Faksa chipped in with two.
“It’s great for every player who goes over there,” Stars coach Glen Gulutzan remarked. “Experiencing the highest level of competition can only make you better.”
Injury Concerns Post-Olympics
As the tournament wrapped up, injury reports started trickling in. Rantanen suffered a lower-body injury, causing him to miss Finland’s bronze medal game against Slovakia. He’s currently out indefinitely, but the Stars are optimistic about his return before the regular season ends.
“He will be back before the end of the regular season, from all indications,” Gulutzan shared. “It’s not a short-term absence; we’re looking at a couple of weeks before reassessing.”
Rantanen’s absence is significant. He’s not only the Stars’ best player but also one of the top talents globally. However, with their solid playoff position, the Stars can afford to let him rest and heal, aiming for a strong postseason return.
“You can’t replace a player like him,” Gulutzan added. “But we’ll work to mitigate the loss with other players stepping up.”
Faksa is also dealing with an upper-body injury from Czechia’s overtime loss to Switzerland. Meanwhile, Hintz is battling an illness but should return by the weekend if he misses the upcoming game against the Seattle Kraken.
A Manageable Schedule Ahead
Unlike many teams facing a grueling post-Olympic schedule, the Stars have a more forgiving lineup. They’ll host the Kraken tonight and the Nashville Predators on Saturday. Next week, they’ll visit the Vancouver Canucks and Calgary Flames before starting a six-game homestand against the Colorado Avalanche.
The Olympic break has certainly shaken up the schedule, but the Stars have drawn a favorable path. With a bit of luck and strategic play, they’re well-positioned for the final stretch.