Although the season ended too soon, there was a lot to remember from the 2014-15 campaign. The Stars struggled defensively while they excelled offensively and that led to an incredibly entertaining brand of hockey. Here are my choices for the best plays of the season.
#10 – Jordie Benn Eliminates Andrew Shaw
Jordie Benn had a very up-and-down season but no moment was better than when he obliterated Andrew Shaw just inside the blue line. My favorite things about this hit? It was completely clean, Shaw immediately got back up and played hockey, and there was no unnecessary scuffle afterwards. It was simply a solid hockey play that ignited the crowd. Take a look.
#9 – Spezza Dangles and Dishes
Jason Spezza’s first year in Dallas was filled with incredible playmaking. He finished second on the team in assists, none better than this one.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTm_OA9hl7A
#8 – Hemsky’s First as a Star
Perhaps nobody had a more difficult start to their season than Ales Hemsky. After big expectations, Hemsky’s start was a huge disappointment. This goal seemed to turn him around, however, as he started playing like the Hemsky that everyone had expected coming into the season.
That is one of the best defensive defenseman in the NHL and Hemsky simply danced around him. Hemsky is scheduled to have offseason hip surgery that ailed him for most of the season so hopefully Stars fans will be getting what they had hoped for next season.
#7 – Daley’s Coast to Coast Shorty
Dallas had surrendered a 3-1 lead and Trevor Daley decided to take matters into his own hands.
#6 – Benn Beats a Bunch of Blue Jackets, Again.
Does everyone remember this? Well he was at it again this season. I think the Blue Jackets would be fine if they never saw Jamie Benn in Nationwide Arena again.
#5 – Lehtonen Springs Seguin
In a season filled with criticism and disappointment, Kari Lehtonen shines on this play. He fakes out the oncoming attacker and springs Seguin for a breakaway goal. One of the best moments of the season for Lehtonen, who is the NHL’s active leader in points by a goaltender.
#4 – Jason Demers Instantly Endears Himself to Dallas
When Jim Nill traded Brenden Dillon to the Sharks for Jason Demers, fans were a little upset. Dillon had become a fan favorite thanks to some big hits and just his general personality around the fans. Demers won fans over quickly by crushing Jarret Stoll.
#3 – Klingberg’s First Career Goal
Other than Jamie Benn battling for the Art Ross, there wasn’t a better story in Dallas than John Klingberg. He is quickly drawing Sergei Zubov comparisons and this goal shows why they might just be accurate.
#2 – Lehtonen’s Pure Larceny on Stoll
Jarret Stoll is not having a very good season against the Stars. Meanwhile, Kari Lehtonen owns the Los Angeles Kings and he does it again here.
#1 – Benn Wins the Art Ross
In a season filled with giving away leads and numerous other struggles, the Dallas Stars and their fans really needed this. Needing two points with two minutes left in the season, it seemed like Stars fans were going to be disappointed again. Benn hit a lengthy empty netter and then kept the puck in the zone for this dramatic conclusion to the season.
There you have it, my picks for the top 10 plays of the season. There was a lot to smile about this year and these plays have fans itching for October already.
