Dallas Stars Set Franchise Record with 10-Game Winning Streak

The Dallas Stars have etched their name in franchise history by securing their ninth and tenth consecutive victories this week, defeating the Vancouver Canucks and Calgary Flames 6-1. This remarkable achievement marks a new record for the team, showcasing their resilience and skill as they surge toward the top of the NHL standings.

Coach Glen Gulutzan and his squad are undoubtedly proud of this accomplishment, but they are not alone in the quest for greatness. Among the NHL franchises, only four teams have yet to hit the 10-game winning mark: the Utah Mammoth, Seattle Kraken, Detroit Red Wings, and Los Angeles Kings. As the Stars continue to climb, they are also closing in on the Colorado Avalanche, who currently hold the top spot in the league.

As the trade deadline approaches this Friday, the Stars are aware that maintaining their winning momentum will be crucial to solidifying their place among the NHL’s longest winning streaks. To get there, they will need to keep winning through mid-March. The benchmark for these historic streaks is impressive, with several teams having achieved remarkable feats over the years.

In 2013, the Pittsburgh Penguins had a flawless March, winning all 15 of their games. They benefitted from a favorable schedule, playing 10 of those games at home, including a four-game stretch to close out the month. The Penguins’ defense was formidable, allowing just 26 goals throughout the streak, which averages to a mere 1.73 goals per game, and they recorded four shutouts. Sidney Crosby led the league in scoring during this period with 25 points, while teammate Chris Kunitz was not far behind with 20 points.

The New York Islanders also left an indelible mark on the league with a 15-game winning streak during the 1981-82 season, culminating in their third consecutive Stanley Cup victory. The Islanders’ offensive prowess was evident as they scored a staggering 97 goals in those 15 games, outpacing the Montreal Canadiens, who had the second-most goals. Defensively, the Islanders were equally impressive, allowing only 35 goals.

In more recent history, the Columbus Blue Jackets enjoyed an eight-game winning streak both at home and on the road from November 29, 2016, to January 3, 2017. Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky was instrumental during this stretch, starting in 14 of the 16 games and posting a remarkable .941 save percentage along with a 1.64 goals-against average. Despite their stellar performance, the Blue Jackets faced disappointment in the first round of the playoffs against the Penguins.

The Edmonton Oilers, after a rocky start that saw them at 5-12-1, embarked on a historic run, winning 24 of their next 27 games. This included an impressive eight-game and a 16-game winning streak, the latter only surpassed by the Penguins’ legendary run in 1992-93. The Oilers’ defense was nearly impenetrable, allowing two goals or fewer in 14 consecutive games, ultimately leading them to the Stanley Cup Final, where they fell to the Florida Panthers in seven games.

The Penguins’ remarkable streak from 1992-93 remains a record that has withstood the test of time, largely thanks to the exceptional performance of Mario Lemieux, who scored an astounding 27 goals and accumulated 51 points during that run, averaging three points per game. With Tom Barrasso in goal for 14 of those victories and backup Ken Wregget stepping in for the remaining three, the Penguins solidified their place in NHL history.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.