‘Stars’ Pete DeBoer Gives Revealing View of ‘Track Meet’ Ahead of Avalanche Series

The Dallas Stars are in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. They ended a nearly 60-year drought en route to their series victory over the Vegas Golden Knights. Now head coach Pete DeBoer must prepare his team for Nathan MacKinnon and the Colorado Avalanche’s high-flying offense.

The Avalanche showed some offensive power against the Winnipeg Jets in the first round. Colorado dominated Winnipeg 28-15 in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Jets entered the playoffs as one of the best defensive teams in the NHL. Dallas, on the other hand, struggled to allow goals during the regular season.

The Stars played a tight defensive series against the Golden Knights. However, the Avalanche are a different matter. And DeBoer acknowledged he’d rather avoid an offensive shootout against Colorado in this series.

“We just want to win, whatever it takes. I think we’re going to have to work ourselves into the series to see how we’re going to have to win. My first reaction is after seeing what they did in Winnipeg, I don’t think we want to be in a track meet,” the Stars head coach said via NHL.com.

A reverse of playing styles

The Stars and Avalanche recognized the difference in each team’s playing styles. Colorado will try to outplay you and win with their offense. Dallas, however, plays a stifling defensive game that has come to life in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. However, both teams also acknowledged their desire to play the other team’s game.

Pete DeBoer showed respect to some of Colorado’s best players. Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar and Mikko Rantanen are offensive threats every time they are on the ice. But the Stars also have talented players on offense. And at some point, the Dallas bench boss wants to give these players a chance to shine.

“I think we’re not going to sit around and try to defend the whole series,” DeBoer said via NHL.com. “I think we have other levels in our game. We also want to put a little pressure on their group defensively.

Rest against rust

Another aspect of this series is the “rest versus rust” conversation. The Stars finished a tight seven-game series against the defending champions. Meanwhile, the Avalanche got some rest in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Colorado only needed five games to eliminate the Jets.

Colorado could certainly benefit from some extra rest. However, this could also work against them. Pete DeBoer is asking his team to play a consistent game at this point. Playing games in quick succession can tire them out, of course. But this also allows them to avoid rusting.

The Stars head coach acknowledged that the seven-game series can have harmful consequences. It remains to be seen when the effects of this close series became known. But the Dallas bench boss hopes his team can avoid a significant drop in play for as long as possible.

“Hopefully we can push this back, and hopefully we can help ourselves as we move forward here.” But the road certainly doesn’t get any easier when you look at potential opponents,” Pete DeBoer said via NHL.com.