Stars' March showers bringing April playoff flowers?

This is just something I wrote for my current 4460 assignment for Wells' class. I know this won't count as an actual post for THIS class, just wanted to get it up online somewhere. I'd love some feedback anyone!!! Thanks!

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In mid-February, the Dallas Stars were in the midst of a franchise record-tying seven game winning streak. The competition underneath the then first-place Stars in the Pacific Division was playing mediocre hockey and the Stars’ grasp on the division title grew tighter and tighter. The Stars were getting players back from injury and seemed to be well on their way to a top seed during the upcoming Stanley Cup playoffs.

Then something changed. Something unexplained happened.

The month of March brought a multitude of questions for the team. Beginning the month by losing eight of nine games erased the work of the magnificent win streak in the month prior. The Stars were losing, not by much, but they were losing. Losses equal zero points in the standings. The rest of the Western Conference was catching up.

The pinnacle of the dismal month was a lackluster home loss against arguably the worst team in the NHL, the Los Angeles Kings. With three minutes remaining in the game, the Stars led 2-1 before surrendering three goals in under two minutes, sealing their fate in a 4-2 loss. The team then had a rare four days off before starting its last road trip of the season--a four-game trip against division rivals San Jose, Anaheim, Los Angeles and Phoenix.

At the time of their home loss to Los Angeles, the Stars were tied for the most games played in the NHL this season. The four-day rest time off seemed to settle some nerves, but the results stayed the same in a 3-2 overtime loss in San Jose. However, with San Jose being one of the hottest teams in the league over the previous month, winning 14 of 16 games, the Stars should’ve felt compelled by earning a desperately needed point.

The second game of the road trip brought forth the same Los Angeles Kings that shocked the Stars in Dallas a week earlier. This time, the Stars were out for redemption. After allowing an early first-period goal, the Stars went on to score the next seven goals of the game, holding the Kings to only 14 shots for the entire game. The Stars had 16 shots during the second period alone, where they scored four times en route to a 7-2 shellacking of the Kings.

Was the tide finally turning? Were the flood gates closing on the Stars’ worst month of the season?

With the hope of a Pacific Division title washed away by the March woes, the Stars toughest test came during the third game of the road trip. The defending Stanley Cup champion Anaheim Ducks were also playing their best hockey coming into the game against the Stars. With, finally, a glimmer of hope that the dark days of March were over, the Stars earned a point by forcing overtime and secured a playoff spot for the 12th time in 14 seasons in Dallas. The contest went to a shootout where the Ducks earned the win by winning the shootout, 2-1.

The disheartening month of March saw the Stars earn only six of a possible 22 points, a 2-7-2 record, while the Stars main divisional competition, the Sharks and Ducks, earned 26 and 16 points respectively, erasing hopes of another division crown.

But the feeling among the team is different now. Much different than it was at the beginning of March. The Stars earned points against the best-playing teams in the league. Hope has returned.

The emergence of April brings the opportunity of a new beginning. The Stars seem to be rebounding and re-emerging as the team that won a franchise record-tying seven consecutive games. But will it be enough to send them on a deep playoff run?

The Stars’ March showers are hopefully the spark that springs April flowers for the playoffs.