Dallas Hockey: For the Stars, It's All But Official

Before I go too far, congratulations to the San Jose Sharks on their Pacific Division title, and to the team I am least fond of, the Detroit Red Wings, on their sixth President's Cup.

Now... On with the show!

As the clock hit 00:00 Thursday night in Phoenix, the Dallas Stars playoff matchup was set.  All that's left is finding out who is getting the home ice advantage.

In round one of Lord Stanley's Playoffs, the Stars will be locked in a showdown with Pacific Division rival, and defending champions of the Stanley Cup, the Anaheim (Mighty) Ducks.  The two teams do not know where game one will be held, but may very well know tonight.

The scenarios are cut and dry.  If Anaheim wins one game, or the Stars lose one game, they'll get home ice advantage.  If the Ducks can manage to gain one point or less, and the Stars win out, the Stars will receive the luxury of the home ice in the first round.

So the outlook on the playoffs, if the regular season has any indication, is a positive one for Dallas. Overall against the Ducks this season, the Stars as 5-2-1, with a 3-1 record in Dallas, and a 2-1-1 record in Anaheim.

With the positive records against their playoff opponent, the Stars should feel as if this one could heavily favor them.

The Stars lead the Ducks in goals scored this season, 231-191, which has surprised many critics of Dallas's roster.  The Stars weren't expected to be as high scoring a team as they have turned out to be, and with the perceived increase in difficulty in scoring a goal in the playoffs, that fact alone could decide the series.

On the flip side of that argument, is that Anaheim hasn't scored many goals, but hasn't allowed many either. They are currently second in the NHL in goals allowed, only trailing Detroit by one goal.  The Stars are not too far behind, allowing only 19 more goals than Anaheim, but the stubborn net-minding that has become a staple of Ducks hockey could stymie teams again this playoff year.

The statistics that will be focused on the most are their special teams.  On the power play, the Stars have had better luck this season with the extra man, converting 18.7 percent of its power-play opportunities.  Anaheim, however, has only converted 16.7 percent of the time. 

When a man down, both teams have been pretty well off all season.  The Stars are currently ranked first on the PK, killing off 86 percent of the power-plays that they have given up.  The Ducks have sat in the middle of the pack all season, and currently sit at 83.1 percent.

So where do the numbers leave us?  With a compelling first round matchup, and with most of the statistics favoring one team, history has Dallas as potential underdogs. 

Nevertheless, when the Ducks and Stars meet at any time, the result is a stellar game of hockey that the fans love to see.  And being division rivals adds the extra spark most fans hope will be in their playoff series.