Stars season starts with a bang

The NHL is back, and so are the Dallas Stars.

With an opening night win over the Chicago Blackhawks, the newfangled Stars began the 2011-2012 season on the right foot. No more of the greatness of Brad Richards, but that salary opens up the ability to sign and develop other players. And we get to see what new coach Gary Gulutzan can bring to the table. That's a LOT of changes, and in some ways, steps back, for a team that didn't make the playoffs again last year.

So a 2-1 win was just what the doctor ordered to settle the nervousness of Stars fanatics across the MetroPlex. All Chicago could mount - despite a number of penalty plays - was a late goal with a sixth attacker, thanks in large part to good effort on the part of the Stars and another solid outing by Kari Lehtonen.

So Stars fans, what are your thoughts about this year's team? Excited to see what Gulutzan can do? Glad we once again have a great goalkeeper to lean on? Worried about what this team lost when it probably needs to add players to get back into the playoffs - or are you seeing this team being set up for a good foundation in the long run?

For me, I like the following:

Stars won (duh)
Stars did a good job on the kill
Stars almost had a 2-1 ratio in hits
Stars did an ok job in the circle

Share your thoughts below!

A Bit More

See HERE for my take on NHL realignment for next year. With Winnipeg in the "Southeast", you know it is coming. Question for Stars fans - can it bring a better balance of schedule so we can see every team every year, and can it get us the **** out of the Pacific? I don't know about you, but I'm tired of so many 9:00 start times!