The reality of the preseason is that it’s hard to read.
Players have to get themselves ready to play, and their performance in preseason games can lend some insight. The Stars needed time to get the new system installed, and there were moments when it was working well. But at the same time, you could say that veterans only endure the process so that they can get to games that matter, meaning that they aren’t always performing at the peak of their abilities.
Dallas lost a 5-1 game to the Minnesota Wild on Saturday to end the preseason 2-5-0. It was a disappointing performance; the Wild came out strong and looked more prepared throughout the contest. Minnesota finished the preseason 6-1-0 and looked like a team ready to resume the pace that earned 113 points last season, and other divisional rivals look strong as well.
Video: DAL@MIN: Pavelski scores in 2nd period
St. Louis finished 6-2-0 and looks like a team that is ready to improve on the 109 points from last season.
Nashville went 3-0-0 in the preseason and started the season in Europe with two wins over San Jose.
The Jets went 4-1-1 under new coach Rick Bowness, which has fans in Winnipeg excited that maybe everything is going to fall into place this season.
Again, is that overreaction? Possibly, but it’s nice to have that positive information to overreact to.
The Stars didn’t look good on Saturday. They were trying to put a solid lineup on the ice and get some chemistry going, but the Stars needed to do some last-minute shuffling after it was decided that Jason Robertson was not ready for a live game after just one practice.
Still, you had Roope Hintz, Miro Heiskanen, Joe Pavelski, Jamie Benn, Tyler Seguin and Jake Oettingerjust to name a few, who could have helped drive a better message, and they didn’t.
The Wild looked hungrier, faster and more skilled.
Minnesota was playing at home, and this was the first time it had its top line together. Kirill Kaprizov had two goals and an assist. Mats Zuccarello had a goal and two assists. They were fantastic. That’s to be expected.
Some Stars players put on strong showings. Oettinger allowed four goals on 20 shots, but he was interfered with on the first goal, and that could have thrown him off. Seguin had five shots on goal. Pavelski et al Mason Marchment had three pieces. Wild goalie Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 22 of 23 shots.
Fleury is a great goalie, but the Stars are going to have to beat great goalies once the regular season starts. Pavelski scored the Stars’ only goal, but that would have been waived off for interference if the regular season rules had been in place.
If Dallas wins two of the three first games against Central Division opponents to start the season, all will be forgotten. In a lot of ways, getting too revved up because of the preseason is a fool’s errand. They have three days of practice to get ready for Thursday when the real games create a completely different environment.
That said, it’s a whole lot easier to stay positive when you’re sitting on some good results.
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club.
Mike Heika is a Senior Staff Writer for DallasStars.com and has covered the Stars since 1994. Follow him on Twitter @MikeHeika.
.