The Tyler Seguin injury is going to hurt the Dallas Stars, and also their grip on the Western Conference. Seguin was hurt in the dying seconds of the Stars match up against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday, when he and Bolts defenseman Anton Stralman got tangled up along the boards following a collision. It seemed that Stralman’s skate blade slipped in between the back of Seguin’s skate and his ankle, slicing down on his Achilles tendon. The Stars would go on to say that the top forward suffered a 15% cut to his right Achilles tendon, and will miss approximately three-four weeks. They announced however that he would be back in time for the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Tyler Seguin Injury to Hurt Stars
This news definitely is not good, but there is more to it than just the Dallas Stars losing a player- they are losing a top forward. Seguin is third in the National Hockey League in points scored with 73 points in 72 games played (33 Goals, 40 Assists), trailing only teammate Jamie Benn and Chicago Blackhawks Patrick Kane. Also, Seguin is in fifth place with most goals scored.
That’s not it though: the Stars are currently holding on to the number one spot in the Central Division with 95 points. However, they are closely tailed by the St. Louis Blues (93), the Chicago Blackhawks (90) and the fourth place Nashville Predators (87). With Seguin out, Dallas’ offense takes a huge blow, losing one of their top scorers. And now with the hunt for the playoffs and top division spots reaching its climax, Dallas can only hope to hang on.
Yes, Dallas has the number one offense in the League, with an average of 3.21 goals per game, but they also have one of the worst defensive corps out there, averaging 2.90 goals-against. Without a doubt, Dallas will make the post-season either way, but you have to wonder, will the Seguin injury affect the Stars seeding and chances of clinching home-ice advantage? With a lack of offensive power and poor defensive play, a slump can easily happen, and the slightest of which may determine the Stars remaining in the top spot, or sliding down into second or even third place.
Dallas is going to have to fight like crazy to keep that top spot and avoid playing teams like the physical and gritty Blues or the experienced, star-studded Blackhawks in the first round of the playoffs.
Only time will tell, but the best the Stars could do is hope for a speedy and well recovery for Seguin, and to fight to keep that top seed.
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