Buffalo Sabres Opponent Outlook: Dallas Stars

By Melissa Kania | Sep 17, 2015

Let’s face it. No matter how many years pass, Buffalo Sabres fans will always have a bad taste in their mouths in regards to the Dallas Stars. We don’t care if it makes us seem bitter, or that some people will say “It’s been ‘x’ years, get over it, time to move on.” The sourness of that Stanley Cup will forever be in our hearts, and for that, we’ll always have a solid battle against the Stars.

Dallas finished last season seven points out of a playoff spot, with a 41-31-10 record. Their plus-1 goal differential was fifth-worst in the Western Conference. The Stars went 17-16-8 at home and 24-15-2 on the road; they split shootouts, winning four of seven.

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Last season, the Sabres and Stars faced each other twice last season, with each team walking away from the season series with a victory and a loss.

The first meeting of the season saw the Sabres end a six-game home losing streak, with the help of a 38-save performance from Jhonas Enroth. Tyler Myers, Tyler Ennis and Zemgus Girgensons put the Sabres ahead 3-0 less than halfway through the game. Girgensons tallied two points in the game, a goal and an assist.

Dallas would come back with goals from Tyler Seguin and Cody Eakin, but they couldn’t complete the comeback.

Chris Stewart was named first star with three assists, one shot and two hits, a plus-2 and 20:34 ice time, as the Sabres won 3-2.

In the second meeting, it was Jamie Benn‘s turn to shine. His three points (2-1) and eight shots helped lead the Stars to a 4-3 victory.

Buffalo goals came from Brian Gionta (who had a pair) and Matt Moulson, who had a two-point night (1-1).

Marcus Foligno, Mikhail Grigorenko, Johan Larsson and Tyler Ennis each had assists.

Patrick Eaves and Cody Eakin also scored for Dallas, giving them enough of an edge to capture a win. Kari Lehton had 25 saves in the victory for the Stars.

The Stars team that hits the ice this season will see a few roster changes from last year’s club.

The Stars, of course, picked up the rights to Antti Niemi from the San Jose Sharks in exchange for a 2015 7th-rounder. They also got Patrick Sharp and Stephen Johns from Chicago in exchange for Trevor Daley and Ryan Garbutt.

The Stars picked up Johnny Oduya through free agency, which should be a solid land for them. They also brought back defenseman Jamie Oleksiak, who re-signed with the team on July 9th, and Patrick Eaves, who re-signed on July 1st.

Departing from Dallas: Shawn Horcoff, gone to Anaheim; defensive prospect Cameron Gaunce, signed with Florida now, and former Sabres netminder Jhonas Enroth, who signed with the Los Angeles Kings.

The Stars first visit the Sabres on Tuesday, November 17th (which just happens to be a certain Sabre Noise editor’s birthday…) for a 7 p.m. meeting; the teams then meet again four days later in Dallas for an 8 p.m. matchup on Saturday, November 21st.

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