Slow Start Dooms Stars Against Colorado

Often times you will hear people say, “The bye week came at a perfect time for them.” And, most of the time, that’s a true statement as teams are dealing with injuries. For the Dallas Stars, though, it may have come at the worst time. Dallas, who had won six of their last eight games, were clicking on all cylinders before the break started last Saturday.

In their first game back, they looked like a team that had taken a week off as they fell to Colorado 4-1. As a matter of fact, both teams were coming off a week-long break and both teams played like it in the first period, with the Avalanche getting the lone goal in the frame.

“We just didn’t have that extra push that we have had lately,” Tyler Pitlick said after the game Saturday night.

Dallas would get the equalizer when Jamie Benn grabbed a rebound in front of the Colorado net. That would be all the scoring Dallas would get on the night. They did have their chances, though. The Stars went on four power-plays, including back-to-back opportunities to open the third period.

“We had a lot of looks in the third period when it was 1-1,” coach Ken Hitchcock said about the third period power plays. “That’s what you want.”

One person who didn’t look like they had taken a week off was Colorado goalie Jonathan Bernier. Not only did he make 27 saves on the night, he also had an assist on Mark Barberio’s empty net goal late in the third period. Colorado has now won six straight games and are only two points behind the Stars for the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference.

Dallas will now embark on a four game road trip that will take them to Boston, Detroit, Columbus and Buffalo.