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St. Louis Blues: Five Reasons the Blues Will Beat the Dallas Stars

By Todd Panula

Mar 12, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; St. Louis Blues defenseman Jay Bouwmeester (19) checks Dallas Stars right wing Patrick Eaves (18) during the third period at the American Airlines Center. The Blues defeated at the Stars 5-4 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 12, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; St. Louis Blues defenseman Jay Bouwmeester (19) checks Dallas Stars right wing Patrick Eaves (18) during the third period at the American Airlines Center. The Blues defeated at the Stars 5-4 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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St. Louis Blues
Feb 16, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; Dallas Stars center Cody Eakin (20) blocks a pass from St. Louis Blues center Paul Stastny (26) during the third period at the Scottrade Center. The Blues defeated the Stars 2-1 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /

Dallas Has The Worst Defense In The Playoffs

Technically the headline is a little bit wrong. They had the worst defense going into the playoffs.

Dallas scored the most goals of any team in the regular season. Not the Central Division, not the Western Conference but the entire league. They also scored the most goals in the first round with 21.

However, they couldn’t keep them out.

They allowed 230 goals in the regular season as well. That’s the most of any team that made the playoffs. The only team that came close was the Detroit Red Wings with 224 and they got bumped with ease by the Tampa Bay Lightning in round one.

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While the Stars made key roster moves to shore up the backline, picking up Johnny Oduya and Kris Russell, it hasn’t had the end result they were looking for yet. They allowed 16 goals to an offensively challenged Minnesota team in the first round who were also missing Zach Parise.

The Blues also fared pretty well against the Dallas defense. While the Blues had to go to overtime and/or a shootout to win three of the four games they won against Dallas, the Blues still scored 12 goals in those four wins.

Their defense cost them a chance at the playoffs last season as well. Dallas scored only six fewer goals last season than this, but allowed 30 more so clearly the blueline let them down last season and while improved wasn’t a huge difference maker this year.

The Blues scored 19 goals against a stout defensive team in the Blackhawks, so if they can keep up the tempo and possess the puck as much as they need to, then Dallas’ defensive faults will lead to a Blues win.

Next: The Grinders

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