Stars Face Grueling Back-to-Back, New Opponent and Familiar Challenges
The Dallas Stars concluded a primetime game on Friday night, only to face a matinee game at home Sunday afternoon. The quick turnaround didn’t stop there — the team hopped on a flight shortly after Sunday’s game,destined for Salt Lake City, where they’ll complete a back-to-back set against the Utah Hockey Club on Monday night.
Playing on consecutive nights demands adjustments and adaptability from every athlete.
“Yeah, you have to adjust,” said forward Jason Robertson. “Sometimes there’s a morning skate, sometimes there’s not, so you have to be ready. You’re probably not eating at a normal time, so you have to find that fine line. There’s a bit of a time change and you have to find your equilibrium.”
Robertson, a dedicated student of the game, diligently analyzes video footage. Normally stationed on the bench for his reviews, he’s forced to adjust his routine during these compressed schedules, whether it’s scrutinizing plays on the plane, in his hotel room, or at the arena.
“Normally, I watch all of my shifts on the bench,” he said. ” But I like seeing them on the plane or watching them later. It’s more on what I’m doing, so I can learn from that.”
As for the Stars’ forward Tyler Seguin, he’s battling lingering soreness and minor injuries, leading him to sit out both ends of back-to-back games this season. Coach Pete DeBoer has yet to confirm any lineup changes, but there’s a chance Logan Stankoven will return from his lower-body injury, or the team could opt for seven defensemen and eleven forwards, given they have two healthy blue-liners in Matt Dumba and Brendan Smith currently sidelined.
Navigating the rigors of a back-to-back schedule is inherently challenging. When asked about the concept of “load management,” a strategy seen in the NBA, Seguin expressed a differing perspective.
“I think you can miss practices,” Seguin conceded. “But I think scoring 30 goals in this league is cool, and I think playing 82 games is almost like 30 goals.”
This trip to Salt Lake City presents yet another hurdle for Dallas. The Utah Hockey Club relocated from Arizona last summer, making this the Stars’ inaugural visit. This back-to-back sets comes on the heels of a late game, an afternoon matchup, and travel, making it a demanding stretch for the team.
A well-rested and confident Utah squad awaits after crushing Vegas 6-0 on Saturday. Meanwhile, Dallas is expected to turn to goalie Casey DeSmith, who is coming off two rough outings, including a six-goal defeat in Chicago on Wednesday. DeBoer acknowledged the challenge ahead for both DeSmith and the entire team.
“He’s got to dig in and find his game, and we’ve got to play better around him, too,” DeBoer said
Surviving a schedule like this is a true test of a team’s resilience.
How does Jason Robertson, known for his video analysis, adapt his routine when time is limited during back-to-back games?
## Stars Feeling the Strain of Back-to-Back Games
**Interviewer:** Welcome back, fans! Joining us today is Dallas Stars forward Jason Robertson, fresh off a grueling back-to-back set. Jason, thanks for taking the time.
**Jason Robertson:** My pleasure. Always happy to chat hockey.
**Interviewer:** Let’s talk about this back-to-back schedule. Friday night primetime, Sunday afternoon matinee, and then straight to Utah for another game Monday night. How does the team handle that kind of intensity?
**Jason Robertson:** [chuckles] It definitely tests your limits, that’s for sure. You’ve got to make adjustments on the fly. Sometimes there’s no morning skate, so you have to be ready to go straight into the game. Mealtimes get thrown off, travel schedules are tight. Finding that balance and equilibrium becomes key.
**Interviewer:** You’re known for your meticulous video analysis. How does that routine change when you’re on the road and pressed for time?
**Jason Robertson:** It definitely takes some creativity. I usually do my reviews on the bench during games, but with back-to-backs, I’m squeezing it in wherever I can – on the plane, in the hotel room, even at the arena. It’s about maximizing every minute.
**Interviewer:** You’ve mentioned equilibrium. What’s the biggest challenge mentally and physically during these condensed schedules?
**Jason Robertson:** It’s all about recovery. Getting enough sleep, staying hydrated, fueling your body properly. You have to be disciplined. Mentally, it’s about staying focused. There’s less time to dwell on mistakes, you got to move on to the next play, the next game.
**Interviewer:** Well, Jason, thanks for sharing your insights. We all know the Stars are a team built for the challenge. Best of luck against Utah tonight!
**Jason Robertson:** Appreciate it! We’re ready to go.
