Forget the NHL-leading 3.41 goals per game. No, when winger Patrick Sharp looks at the Dallas Stars team he's helped turn from a middling contender to one of the best groups in the league, he sees a winning formula not because of the vaunted and relentless Dallas offense - an offense that has potted 92 goals through 27 games, the second-highest total in the NHL - but because of the defensive mentality he and other Stars offseason acquisitions - and former Stanley Cup-winners with the Chicago Blackhawks - defenseman Johnny Oduya and goaltender Antti Niemi, have brought to the franchise this year.
"We won in Chicago because we protected our net and limited chances," Sharp said recently, per Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News. "I know there was some big-time forwards and defensemen there that got a lot of credit for scoring goals, but we knew the identity of the team was defense first. That's what we're preaching here. We have some world-class players that put the puck in the net. But when we have success, it's playing well away from the puck, protecting our goaltender, and playing from the back-end out."
As impressive as the team's offensive output this season has been, their improvements defensively may be even better. They've gone from 19th in shots against (29.9) to 10th (28.8), 29th in save percentage (.895) to 17th (.911) and 26th in goals against per game (3.13) to 13th (2.56) as compared to last season. And while the team's improved possession metrics - they're at a teamwide 52.6 Corsi For, fifth-best mark in the league, per Puckalytics - and high-powered offense are certainly part of the reason for their defensive numbers, it also seems no coincidence that Sharp, Oduya and Niemi have been paving the way for a Dallas team that's suddenly playing a much more sound game in their own end.
If the Stars are to continue their strong play and make a run at the postseason, it will be on the back of their offense, paced by Stars stars Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn. But if they're going to make that run a serious one aimed at a potential Stanley Cup, they'll need to continue their surprisingly effective play in their own end as well.
