Opinion
3 min read

Will the Dallas Stars Overcome Recent Struggles in San Jose Showdown?

The Dallas Stars are gearing up for a pivotal match against the San Jose Sharks at the SAP Center, and fans are eager to see if their team can bounce back from recent setbacks. The Stars have had a rollercoaster ride in their last few games, with performances ranging from dominant to lackluster.


Mar 5, 2024; San Jose, California, USA; San Jose Sharks left wing Anthony Duclair (10) celebrates with teammates after he scored against the Dallas Stars during the first period at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports

In their most recent game on March 15 against the New Jersey Devils, the Stars were outgunned despite a strong start. They opened with two goals in the first period but failed to maintain that momentum, eventually falling 6-2. The Devils' shooting percentage was an impressive 30 percent compared to just 5 percent for DAL. This loss highlighted some defensive vulnerabilities that DAL needs to address before facing SJ.


However, not all is grim for Dallas fans. Just five days earlier on March 10, DAL secured a victory over the Los Angeles Kings with a final score of 4-1. Their shooting percentage was better at 11 percent and they managed an empty-net goal as well – signs of offensive potential that could be harnessed against SJ.


Mar 5, 2024; San Jose, California, USA; San Jose Sharks center Mikael Granlund (64) looks to pass against the Dallas Stars during the second period at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports

The upcoming game poses both challenge and opportunity for DAL. The Sharks will not make it easy; they're known for their aggressive play and ability to capitalize on powerplays – something DAL must be wary of given their penalty troubles in past games.


One key factor could be faceoff performance; DAL has shown proficiency here with faceoff win percentages consistently above 50 percent across recent matches. Winning these crucial puck possessions could give them control of the game's tempo and potentially limit SJ's scoring opportunities.


Mar 5, 2024; San Jose, California, USA; Dallas Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen (4) shoots against San Jose Sharks goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen (36) during the third period at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports

Special teams will also play a significant role in this matchup. While powerplay opportunities haven't been abundant or particularly fruitful for either team lately, capitalizing on these chances could tip the scales in favor of either side.


As we look ahead to this encounter between two competitive teams, it's clear that if Dallas wants to emerge victorious from SAP Center – affectionately known as "the Shark Tank" by hockey aficionados – they'll need more than just star players shining; they'll need cohesive teamwork and strategic execution throughout all three periods.


Fans can catch this exciting matchup scheduled on March 27th at SAP Center at San Jose when it airs live at 7:30 PM PT on ESPN+, NBCS-CA, or BSSW networks depending on your location or preferred viewing platform.

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