Stars’ Offense Breaks Out for Season-Best Outing in Fifth Straight Win

On Sunday, the Dallas Stars have leaned on their defense all season and the offense finally joined the party.

Dallas posted one of its biggest performances of the season, beating the New York Islanders 6-3 for its fifth straight win. Just as important, it was a major bounce back for a unit that has largely struggled to score at league standards thus far.

While goals have been plentiful across the league this season, Dallas has lagged behind. Even with Sunday's six-goal effort, the Stars sit at 2.82 goals per game, tied with the Buffalo Sabres and Nashville Predators for eighth-worst in the NHL. Getting the offense going against New York was a very positive sign, especially considering how much the team's defense has been carrying the load.

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Goaltender Jake Oettinger has put together a Vezina Trophy-contending start, and the Stars' defenders have all been elite with Dallas allowing just 19 goals in 11 games, seven fewer than the next closest team, for a league-best 1.73 goals against per game.

The Islanders' three goals on Sunday were just the third time this season Dallas has allowed three or more, which made the timing of the offensive breakout that much better.

Despite the modest start as a group, Dallas' top forwards have been producing at a solid clip. Mikko Rantanen and Jason Robertson are both averaging over a point per game, while Wyatt Johnston and Roope Hintz are each just one point shy of a point-per-game pace.

It hasn't been the worst run for the Stars' offense, but with the defense expected to take a mild step back after its sensational start, Dallas will need the scoring to keep coming. If Sunday's performance is any indication, the offense may be ready to take charge.

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