Roberto

Playoff series between these teams are always wars of attrition. 6+ game series, physical play, low-scoring games. It is old-school hockey and I love it.

The coaching alignment between the AHL and NHL is underrated. When a player gets called up, they already know the power play formations and defensive schemes. That seamless transition is a competitive advantage.

14.2 blocked passes per game is a wild stat. That is not just shot blocking -- it is disrupting the opponent's entire offensive flow. Active sticks in lanes force dump-ins instead of controlled entries.

Denver for the rivalry game is a must-do at least once. Stars-Avs at Ball Arena with the history between these teams is intense. Plus you can ski at Breckenridge the day before.

Victory Green Friday is real in my office. Every Friday during the season, 5-6 of us are in Stars gear. The coworkers who do not follow hockey think we are in a cult. They are not entirely wrong.

The STARS chant during the anthem never gets old. I have been going to games for 15 years and it still gives me chills every time. First-time visitors always look around in shock when it happens.

Cross-ice one-timers being the hardest shot for goalies is basic hockey physics. The lateral movement across the crease is nearly impossible to execute in time. The fact that the Stars were not using this before December is baffling.

Post-game at Idle Rich is the sophisticated move. Quieter, better drinks, and you can actually have a conversation about the game without screaming over a crowd.

Not adding a goaltender is the decision that will make or break this season. I trust the starter but if he goes down with an injury, we are relying on a .901 backup in the playoffs. That is terrifying.

My son plays youth hockey at StarCenter Frisco. The level of play has improved dramatically even in the 5 years since he started. These kids are getting legitimate development and some will play college hockey.

$120-160 for a family of 4 at a professional sporting event is the best deal in DFW entertainment. You cannot take a family to a movie and dinner for that price. And the Stars game is a way better experience.

Miro Heiskanen is going to be the best defenseman in franchise history when it is all said and done. He is 26 and already one of the top 10 defensemen in the NHL. The ceiling is Norris Trophy.

Sergei Zubov being in the Hall of Fame was long overdue. His skating ability at 6-1, 200 pounds was mesmerizing. He could carry the puck through an entire team and make it look effortless.

The 1999 and 2020 playoff runs both had elite goaltending. Belfour at .930 and Khudobin at .917 carried their teams. That is the baseline for a deep Stars playoff run.

Goaltending is THE position in hockey playoffs. Nothing else matters if your goalie is not stopping pucks. The starter needs to be .916 or better for us to have a chance in a 7-game series.

Patrick Roy vs. Ed Belfour was the goaltending rivalry within the rivalry. Two of the best goalies in history going head-to-head in playoff series. We may never see anything like that again.

The 1999 WCF Game 7 is the greatest hockey game in Stars history. Beating Roy, Sakic, and Forsberg in a Game 7 at Reunion Arena. The building was shaking. I have chills just remembering it.

The upcoming free agency decisions are going to be painful. There are players on this team that fans love who simply cannot be re-signed under the cap. That is the reality of the hard cap.

The logarithmic decibel scale explanation is important. 115 dB is not just a little louder than 105 dB. It is perceived as approximately TWICE as loud. The AAC during a Stars playoff game is genuinely painful to your eardrums. I wear earplugs now and I am not ashamed.

The Texas Stars AHL affiliate is doing good work developing players. The jump from AHL to NHL is real but having a well-run development league team matters.

The top forward prospect is going to be a player. 68 points in 58 AHL games at age 22 is legitimately dominant. He should make the team out of camp next year and play top-6 minutes.

The fact that he stayed in Dallas after retirement tells you everything. He could have gone anywhere. He chose Texas. He IS Dallas Stars hockey.

561 goals as an American. That record has stood for over a decade and nobody is close to breaking it. The combination of speed, skill, and longevity was remarkable.

The goal was good. Hull had possession before entering the crease. The rule was poorly written and the NHL made the correct interpretation. Buffalo fans need to let it go after 27 years.

The 3-on-3 overtime in the regular season is the most exciting 5 minutes in sports. Wide open ice, constant scoring chances, and the shootout if it stays tied. Perfect for new fans.

The $25-45 price range for upper deck is the best value in DFW sports. For the price of parking at AT&T Stadium, you can get a legitimate Stars ticket AND a beer.