With the NHL season coming to an end, the Dallas Stars have clinched a playoff position in the Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Minnesota Wild this Saturday, April 18, for the first round in the seven-game series. The Stars’ recent 15-game point streak put them all the way in second in the entire league. The Dallas Stars have had an impressive year and have won most of their games.
In 2023, 2024 and 2025, the Stars have made it to the Western Conference Final three years in a row, which is very impressive considering there are 32 teams in the National Hockey League, and in the past three years, the Stars have made it to the final four remaining teams. The Dallas Stars are used to being in a playoff hockey environment.
With the American Airlines Center being less than a fifteen-minute drive from SMU’s campus, students go to Stars home games frequently to show support for the local team.
Junior Spencer Brown is staying in Dallas for the summer and said he may go to one of the playoff games.
“I have been to the Blues versus the Stars during the regular season in 2023,” Brown said. “I was right by the glass behind the goaltender, and they went into overtime; it was cool that the Stars won.”
Another student, Brody Krolczyck, said this when asked about the playoffs.
“I mean, I don’t love the playoff format right now,” Krolczyk said. “It does not look like we will be able to catch Colorado, but I think we will do well against Minnesota, and we have a tough stretch for sure if we beat Minnesota.”
Senior Natalie Bell, an avid Dallas Stars fan, appreciates the energy in the arena when she attends games.
“The games and the environment are what made me a Stars fan,” Bell said. “Whether you are sitting against the glass or in the nose bleeds, you can just feel the crowd’s energy, and everyone is there to have fun and cheer on their team together.”
Overall, the Dallas Stars have looked like a strong team worth taking seriously. It will be fun to watch the Stars take on the Minnesota Wild in the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Saturday at 4:30 p.m.
