Stars Rebound From Last Year

Around the NHL

The Dallas Stars are attempting to become the third team in 50 years to go from worst to first in their division. The 1996-97 Stars won 30 times in their first 53 games, a faster pace than any team in franchise history. And their impressive 13-8-2 record against Eastern Conference teams stood in stark contrast to their 5-16-5 mark against those teams last season.

The only previous worst-to-first teams were the 1969-70 Chicago Blackhawks and the 1993-94 New York Rangers.

Lightning GM Phil Esposito on Mario Lemieux and Mike Gartner joining the 600-goal, 600-assist club that also includes himself, Gretzky, Gordie Howe and Marcel Dionne. “It’s like getting 500 homers and 3,000 base hits.”