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Stephen Hawkins
Associated Press
The return of the Stars comes after 17 players tested positive for COVID-19, even though most of them were asymptomatic.
Their first four games on the schedule, all away from home including two games against the Tampa Bay Lightning, the team that beat them in the final, have been postponed.
The move came after NHL executives announced on January 12 that more than half of the 27 players, across nine clubs, who performed positively during the short two-week training camps were from the Stars.
The defending Western Conference champions kick off their season at home on Friday night against the Nashville Predators.
“Now listen, we’re all set for a game,” head coach Rick Bowness said after the team practice Thursday.
“We are ready to face an opponent, to play against someone other than our own teammates. We want that excitement, we want the adrenaline flowing […] then we’ll handle the rest. ”
Veteran forward Blake Comeau will miss the opener due to an injury the nature of which has not been specified. Meanwhile, defenseman John Klingberg did not participate in the training session for what Bowness called “medical reasons.”
Still, the Stars will be able to count on the vast majority of the players they thought they had in their lineup for what should have been their first game last week, ahead of the delay caused by the positive tests and the time needed to ensure the healing.
In addition, the team leaders already knew that Tyler Seguin (hip) and goalkeeper Ben Bishop (knee) would be retired at least until March, time to complete their rehabilitation following operations carried out during the ‘mid-season.
“We’re going to be lagging behind in terms of match fitness, there’s nothing we can do about it,” Bowness said.
“When we are healthy, we are fortunate to have several players already with us, who know how we want to play and who know each other quite well on the ice. But you need matches to get that chemistry back, and you need real games to get that physical form back. ”
Friday’s game against the Predators (2-1) will be the first at American Airlines Center since a 4-2 loss to the New York Rangers on March 10. It was their sixth loss in a row and their last game before entering the Edmonton bubble.
“It’s been a long wait,” said Miro Heiskanen, the 21-year-old defenseman who totaled six goals and 26 points in 27 playoff games last summer.
“We are excited to play our first game here at home in this building,” added forward Joe Pavleski.
The Stars will have the chance to play in front of approximately 5,000 fans, well below the maximum capacity of 18,532 spectators for a hockey game. In addition, the Dallas Mavericks, in the NBA, must play their local games in front of deserted stands.
“It’s going to be different for sure,” Bowness said, referring to playoff games played without spectators.
“It’s going to be interesting to see where they all sit, how far apart they are, but it’s definitely a better alternative than playing in front of empty seats. […] It’s going to be great to have at least 5,000 of our fans in our arena with us and to be part of the team and the sport again. ”
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