For two teams that do not face each other more than once (or maybe twice) a year, the Boston Bruins and Dallas Stars do not like one another. In last season’s meeting (Feb. 3), there were three fights in the opening four seconds. In Dallas’ previous visit to Boston, there were six fights, and the two teams combined for over 300 penalty minutes in their meeting the season prior. So to say the Stars and Bruins do not like each other might even be an understatement — these teams loathe each other.
The Stars fuired Marc Crawford after the season and lost star center Brad Richards, so Dallas is in a bit of a period of transition. Blackout Dallas writer Austin Waldron has this to say about the Stars as they prepare to start the 2011-12 season:
"So much of the focus this summer has been that Dallas lost Richards and looks to be at another stage of change by the outside media and world. While it is true and the team is going to miss Richards, it is not like everything left. The Stars were not expected by many to do much the last two seasons while he was here, so why is it pick on Dallas time since he is gone? The forwards are still going to feature a few all-star veterans in Brenden Morrow and Mike Ribeiro on the top pairing and then rely on continued growth from a great young core. Loui Eriksson looks to lead the way after really coming into his own over the last couple of seasons and finally getting some really attention last season. Fan favorite and budding young talent Jamie Benn will be called upon to take the next step this season and looks to have all the tools to do so. I know everyone is putting pressure on his growth and that he “needs” to be the next big thing, but he already almost is and with a little more growth and more playing time now, I think he will be fine."
Read the rest of Waldron’s preview at Blackout Dallas.