Power Play Issues Plague Stars Despite Strong 5-on-5 Play
The Dallas Stars have a history of bouncing back from adversity. Last season, they limited losing streaks, demonstrating resilience. This year, they’ve continued that trend, responding well to tough defeats with strong performances in subsequent games.
But their most recent setback against the Carolina Hurricanes on Monday night has exposed a concerning weakness: the power play. Despite holding a 3-1 lead after two periods, the Stars ultimately fell 6-4, with special teams playing a pivotal role in their demise.
Dallas went 0-for-3 on the power play and surrendered two goals while shorthanded. They also gave up another goal just four seconds after a power play expired. Essentially, four of the five power play situations in the game resulted in a Carolina goal.
“That’s the game right there,” said forward Jason Robertson.
Searching for Answers on Special Teams
The Stars have struggled with special teams at times this season. Their power play ranks 25th in the league with a success rate of 16.1 percent and sits 30th in goal differential at plus-7. While they have 10 power play goals, good for 25th in the league, they’ve also allowed three shorthanded goals, the third most in the NHL. This is in stark contrast to last season, when the Stars allowed only four shorthanded goals in 82 games.
Robertson analyzed the breakdowns: “It’s puck management,” he said. “Most of the PKers are skill guys, so you have to be cautious who is out there. You just have to shore up puck management, and last game we even had a line change, so we have to watch that.”
While the Stars are playing well at 5-on-5, ranking third best in goals against (31) and eighth best in goals for (48), the special teams struggles are hard to ignore. The plus-17 differential in 5-on-5 play is partly why six Stars players are plus-8 or better, making the special teams woes even more frustrating.
“If our special teams were better, it seems we might have a better outcome,” said Wyatt Johnston, who plays on both the power play and the penalty kill. “I think it’s a combination. Making smart plays is one thing, everyone being on the same page.”
Finding the Right Balance
Johnston recognizes the pressure of a struggling power play, explaining, “You’ve got to outwork the PK. The teams that are the best on the power play, they’re working and they’re getting pucks back and they’re making plays. But at the same time, you need to be confident and go out there and make plays. That’s why we’re out there, to make plays and score, so you need to have the confidence.”
The Stars are hoping a recent practice in Chicago helped them find that balance of swagger and calm. They’re confident in their ability to resolve these issues, drawing on their past experience.
“It’s my fifth year and honestly, we haven’t really had power play struggles that last,” Robertson said. “We always finish top 10.”
However, they can’t afford to let the problem fester. “Obviously, it’s not good enough right now,” Robertson said. “We’re not helping ourselves right now. We’re not producing and we’re not even creating momentum.”
* What specific adjustments could the Dallas Stars make to their power-play system to improve its effectiveness?
## “Stars Power Play: Time for a Fix?”
**Host:** Welcome back to NHL Insider. Tonight, we’re dissecting the Dallas Stars’ recent struggles on the power play, a unit that’s been surprisingly ineffective despite the team’s overall strong performance. Joining us to analyze this issue is former NHL forward and current analyst, Mike Johnson. Mike, thanks for being here.
**Mike Johnson:** My pleasure, always happy to chat hockey.
**Host:** Mike, the Stars are known for their resilience. They bounce back from adversity, but this power play issue seems to be a persistent problem. What’s your take on what’s going wrong?
**Mike Johnson:** Well, looking at the numbers [[1](https://www.nhl.com/stars/news/hey-heika-dallas-stars-power-play-solutions-deadline-possibilities-and-more-112124)], the Stars have struggled to convert on the man advantage all season long. Their ranking as 25th in the league is concerning. It’s a shame because they have the firepower, but they’re not executing effectively. As Jason Robertson pointed out, puck management seems to be a major issue. Against Carolina, their power play looked disjointed, and the Hurricanes capitalized on those mistakes.
**Host:** You mentioned firepower. The Stars have some talented offensive players. Is it a matter of system, execution, or lack of confidence?
**Mike Johnson:** I think it’s a combination of factors. The system may need some tweaking. You need to get the puck moving quicker, create more scoring chances.
But execution is key. Players need to make smart decisions with the puck and take advantage of their opportunities. When you’re not scoring on the power play, it takes a toll on your confidence, and that can snowball.
**Host:** What are some potential solutions you see for the Stars’ power-play woes?
**Mike Johnson:** I think they need to simplify things. Focus on getting shots on net, create more traffic in front. They have the talent to score, but they need to make things easier on themselves.
**Host:** The Stars have time to turn things around. Can they still be a Stanley Cup contender even with a struggling power play?
**Mike Johnson:** Absolutely! Their 5-on-5 play is strong, and their goaltending has been solid. They have a gritty team that knows how to win. But, the power play needs to improve if they want to go deep in the playoffs.
**Host:** Mike Johnson, great insights, as always. Thanks for your analysis, and we’ll be watching closely to see if the Stars can fix this power play problem.
**Mike Johnson:** You’re welcome!
