The month of October is a busy one for sports – three major professional sports leagues all vying for the spotlight (four if you count pre-season NBA and five if you consider College Football). There is lots of competition for viewers, night in and night out.
To add to it’s woes, the NHL doesn’t have the assistance of a top tier major cable network broadcasting it’s games. You can say the league blew that opportunity themselves during the lockout of the 2004-05 season, if you wish, but it doesn’t change the fact that there are less viewers through VS. than there were through ESPN. It’s tough to get large audiences watching the games.
But, I’m sure a good number of folks around the metroplex were tuned in to see the Dallas Stars open their season on back-to-back nights against Columbus here in Dallas, and then on the road in Nashville on Saturday. Many critics may be writing off the Stars already, thanks to their ignominious 0-1-1 start. But (for the second time in as many weeks), I must urge you to wait on passing judgement.
Here’s the part where you say, “But it’s Columbus! And Nashville! We’ve always done well against those teams.” And you’d be right. Historically, the Stars have matched up well against both the Blue Jackets and the Predators. But, both aforementioned teams are starting to come into their own.
Investments in youth are beginning to pay off for the Blue Jackets, Rick Nash continues to lead with great play and has gotten assistance from Derick Brassard, Jakub Voracek and Pascal Leclaire, all of whom have come up through Columbus’ developmental system.
The Predators are finding success in building around a strong core of journeyman players, and are plugging in the pieces that are left through trades and free agency. The leader of the team, on and off the ice, continues to be Jason Arnott. Finding the success he always sought during his tenure as a Star, Arnie is lighting the lamp more regularly in Nashville, and has a great support crew surrounding him. People like J.P. Dumont and Martin Erat, who also struggled with other NHL teams, have found success in the Music City as well. And another former Star, Dan Ellis, has been impressive as a starting goaltender.
Starting a season winless after two games is not what the Stars want (what team would?). But I’m waiting to see how the Stars will do against Nashville in a re-match at the AAC on Wednesday, and the Blues on Thursday. It’s another back-to-back game situation, and it’s another home one night, away the next situation too. It will test the Stars, and hopefully show fans how much this teams wants success. If we’re still winless after Thursday – then it’s time to re-examine where this team is headed.
