Dallas Stars 2019-20 Season Preview
DALLAS STARS: TEAM LOOK-AHEAD The Stars had their highest regular-season point total and first playoff appearance since 2015- 16, advancing to the Second Round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2018-19. With the addition of veteran forwards Joe Pavelski and Corey Perry, Dallas will look to qualify for the postseason in consecutive campaigns for the first time since a five-season run from 2002-03 to 2007-08.
SEASON-OPENING STATS * Alexander Radulov opened 2018-19 with a four-game goal streak, tied for the second-longest season-opening goal streak in franchise history behind Dino Ciccarelli (6 GP in 1986-87 w/ MNS). Mike Modano is the only skater in franchise to start a season with a goal streak of three or more games in multiple campaigns (4 GP in 1993-94, 3 GP in 1998-99).
* Radulov (4-6—10 in 5 GP) and John Klingberg (4-2—6 in 5 GP) each opened 2018-19 with a five-game point streak, three shy of the longest season-opening point streak in franchise history (Tim Young in 1980-81: 3-7—10 in 8 GP).
* In 2018-19, Ben Bishop became the third goaltender in Stars franchise history to post a shutout in a season opener. Only 16 goaltenders in NHL history have recorded multiple season- opening shutouts – none have done so with the Stars/North Stars.
OFFENSIVE OUTLOOK * Tyler Seguin (5) is one 30-goal season away from joining Mike Modano (9), Dino Ciccarelli (7), Brian Bellows (7) and Dave Gagner (6) as the fifth player in Stars/North Stars history to record six 30-goal campaigns with the franchise.
Dallas Stars 2019-20 Season Preview
* Alexander Radulov has topped the 70-point mark in each of his first two seasons with the Stars. Only three players in franchise history notched 70 points in each of their first three or more seasons with the club: Seguin (6; 2013-14—2018-19), Bobby Smith (5; 1978-79—1982- 83) and Neal Broten (3; 1981-82—1983-84).
* Jamie Benn has scored 20 goals in nine of his 10 NHL seasons (all w/ DAL). Another 20-goal campaign would allow him to join Modano (16) and Bellows (10) as players with 10 or more 20- goal seasons with the franchise.
* John Klingberg has notched 40 or more points in each of his first five NHL seasons (all w/ DAL). Another 40-point campaign would tie him with Craig Hartsburg (6) for the second-most by a blueliner in franchise history behind Sergei Zubov (10).
THE FUTURE IS NOW * Miro Heiskanen recorded 12-21—33 in 82 games as a rookie in 2018-19 while patrolling the blueline as a teenager. The now 20-year-old Heiskanen – who won’t turn 21 until July 18, 2020 – needs only 15 points this season to record the most in franchise history by a defenseman prior to his 21st birthday; he would leapfrog Doug Hicks (11-25—36 in 160 GP), Craig Hartsburg (14-30—44 in 79 GP) and Brad Maxwell (18-29—47 in 75 GP).
BETWEEN THE PIPES * Ben Bishop set a career high with seven shutouts in 2018-19 after posting five in his first season with Dallas (2017-18). Only three goalies in franchise history have had five or more shutouts in three seasons: Cesare Maniago (3x), Ed Belfour (3x) and Marty Turco (3x).
* Bishop also finished the 2018-19 season with a 1.98 goals-against average. The last goaltender on any NHL team to post back-to-back seasons with a goals-against average under 2.00 (min. 25 GP) happened to be with the Stars (Turco in 2002-03 & 2003-04).
FIRST IMPRESSIONS A look at how players have fared historically in their debut game/season with the franchise:
First game with Stars/North Stars... SKATERS Most goals: 3 – Fabian Brunnstrom (Oct. 15, 2008) and Mark Parrish (Nov. 7, 2008) Most assists: 5 – Brad Richards (Feb. 28, 2008) Most points: 5 – Brad Richards (Feb. 28, 2008)
DEFENSEMEN Most goals: 2 – Jean Potvin (Nov. 1, 1978) Most assists: 2 – four players; most recent: Connor Carrick (Oct. 4, 2018) Most points: 3 – Larry Hillman (Oct. 11, 1968)
GOALTENDERS Most saves: 43 – Jon Casey (March 28, 1984) Shutout: 3 goaltenders; most recent: Antti Niemi (Oct. 8, 2015)
Dallas Stars 2019-20 Season Preview
First season with Stars/North Stars. . . SKATERS Most goals: 37 – Tyler Seguin (2013-14) Most assists: 52 – Tommy Williams (1969-70) and Jude Drouin (1970-71) Most points: 84 – Tyler Seguin (2013-14)
DEFENSEMEN Most goals: 18 – Brad Maxwell (1977-78) Most assists: 37 – Grant Ledyard (1993-94) Most points: 47 – Mike McMahon Jr. (1967-68) and Brad Maxwell (1977-78)
GOALTENDERS Most wins: 37 – Ed Belfour (1997-98) Most Shutouts: 9 – Ed Belfour (1997-98)