Trey

Expected goals at 2.44 versus actual goals at 2.71 means the goaltending is leaking about a quarter of a goal per game. If the goaltending catches up to the defensive structure, this is a top-8 defense.

The slot protection philosophy is smart. Outside shots with low xG are fine to give up. What you cannot give up is cross-crease passes and shots from the high slot. The Stars understand this.

Vegas is the splurge option. T-Mobile Arena pregame show with the medieval knight theme is ridiculous and amazing. Hockey in the desert at its finest.

The towel wave during playoffs is visually incredible from inside the arena. 18,000 towels creates a sea of white. On TV it looks cool. In person, it is overwhelming.

Pantera as the goal song is perfection. A Dallas band playing after a Dallas goal. The authenticity of that connection is unmatched in the NHL. Every other team is jealous.

Deflection goals going from 2 to 11 shows the impact of net-front presence. Putting a big body in front of the goalie creates chaos. Rebounds, deflections, and screens all lead to goals.

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.

The depth defenseman for a fourth-round pick is the kind of low-cost, high-impact move that good front offices make. Right-shot D who can play physical hockey in the playoffs? Sign me up.

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.

STH Facebook groups are the secret. Season ticket holders who cannot make a game will sell below face value just to recoup something. I have gotten $100 seats for $50 multiple times.

Jamie Benn as captain for over a decade deserves recognition. The Art Ross season in 2015 was magical — he won the scoring title on the last day of the regular season. Clutch.

Modano at number 1 is unchallengeable. 561 goals, 20 seasons, the face of hockey in Texas. Nobody else is even in the conversation for the top spot.

The starter-backup split in record is alarming. 32-14-2 with the starter vs. 10-11-5 with the backup. That is a 15-point gap in winning percentage. If the starter gets hurt in the playoffs, the season is over.

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 hard cap in the NHL makes roster construction a genuine puzzle. Every dollar matters. The Stars front office finding value contracts year after year is impressive given how tight the margins are.

The STARS chant during the anthem is one of the best traditions in professional sports. Visitors are always caught off guard by it. The entire building screaming in unison before the game even starts sets the tone.

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.

Jersey number 9 being retired was emotional. The ceremony at AAC was packed. Modano tearing up on the ice was the most human moment I have seen from a professional athlete.

Modano is the reason hockey exists in Texas. Not the owners, not the coaches — Modano. He personally went to elementary schools and taught kids how to hold a stick. That grassroots work built a fanbase.

Nieuwendyk winning the Conn Smythe was deserved but Belfour was equally valuable. A .930 save percentage in the playoffs is elite. He was the reason Dallas survived the Colorado series.

Playoff hockey at AAC is the loudest sporting event in DFW. I have been to Cowboys games, Mavs games, Rangers games — nothing touches a Stars playoff game for noise level. The building vibrates.

The .918 save percentage over the last 30 games is the most encouraging number on this page. Goaltending wins in the playoffs and ours is trending in the right direction at exactly the right time.

Fastball going from 96.2 to 97.8 in the postseason is the adrenaline factor. He threw harder when it mattered more.

Spring training in Surprise is the best baseball experience available. Small stadium, perfect weather, $15 lawn seats, and you are 50 feet from MLB players.

Matchup-based bullpen usage over fixed roles is the analytics revolution in action. Get the best arm for the most important at-bat, regardless of inning.