5 Things We Learned About the Dallas Stars in Round 2

Home Ice is One of Their Biggest Advantages

It may have come down to the final week of the regular season, but the Dallas Stars secured home ice throughout the Western Conference half of the bracket. That's allowed them to get their line matchups to neutralize their opponents' attack and is fundamental to their ongoing success.

Irrespective of the opponent, the Stars have had to stop some of the top players in the NHL. That will once again be the case in the Western Conference final. With four of the seven games occurring at the American Airlines Center, Dallas can again wield the last change to its advantage. 

Not surprisingly, most of the Stars' metrics improve on home ice. We'll see how unforgiving the home faithful can be as they race toward the Stanley Cup final. 

But They Can Still Beat You With Offense

Still, the Stars aren't a one-dimensional team that needs to shut you out to win games. Depth scoring has long been a strength of this Western Conference titan, and they outplayed two of the best the NHL has to offer to make it to the third round.

Dallas' offensive success is reflected in its underlying metrics. The Stars have even out-chanced in high-danger chances just five times this postseason while averaging 10.2 opportunities per game. Likewise, they are north of 24.8 scoring chance per game, resulting in a 52.4% scoring chance rating. 

We have yet to see how bright the Stars can shine as they remain below their season-long shooting percentage in the postseason. If they heat up and progress as anticipated, there will be no stopping them from reaching the Stanley Cup Final.

Jake Oettinger is in Conn Smythe Form

Insulating their netminder with effective systems has been crucial to Jake Oettinger's success, but it doesn't diminish his accomplishments. The Stars netminder has been a stabilizing force, making game-changing saves at various points this season. If Dallas goes on a run, continuing to win games by the slimmest of margins, it only amplifies Oettinger's Conny Smythe candidacy.

On the strength of a 2.08 goals against average and 91.8% save percentage, Oettinger has shot up to the top of the Conn Smythe futures board. Heading into the conference finals, the former first-round pick is the co-leader with New York Rangers netminder Igor Shesterkin to be named the playoff MVP. 

Defensive Depth Remains a Strength

Players are a function of their system. Thankfully for Dallas fans, the Stars' rearguards are tailormade for Peter DeBoer's defense-first schemes. 

Led by Miro Heiskanen, the Stars have a stable of young defensemen who can turn the tide for the Stars. Heiskanen leads the team with 13 points in 13 games, fulfilling a leading role on the team's powerplay. However, everyone on that blue line plays a massive role in the Stars' march through the postseason. 

Only Chris Tanev has a Corsi rating below 49.6%, and his 48.0% is still incredible when we consider that he starts 76.7% of his shifts in the defending zone. It's not enough to have everyone in the same boat; they all have to paddle in the same direction, and that's how the Stars distinguish themselves from the rest.

Home Ice is One of Their Biggest Advantages

It may have come down to the final week of the regular season, but the Dallas Stars secured home ice throughout the Western Conference half of the bracket. That's allowed them to get their line matchups to neutralize their opponents' attack and is fundamental to their ongoing success.

Irrespective of the opponent, the Stars have had to stop some of the top players in the NHL. That will once again be the case in the Western Conference final. With four of the seven games occurring at the American Airlines Center, Dallas can again wield the last change to its advantage. 

Not surprisingly, most of the Stars' metrics improve on home ice. We'll see how unforgiving the home faithful can be as they race toward the Stanley Cup final.