Dallas, October 15, 2025
News Summary
Dallas Stars coach Glen Gulutzan highlights the need for increased competition as the team enters the home opener against the Minnesota Wild. With a 2-0 record after road victories against Winnipeg and Colorado, the coaching staff is focusing on tightening details and emphasizing physical play. Practice drills are being implemented to enhance compete levels. Players express positivity about adjustments under Gulutzan’s direction, with balanced scoring contributing to early momentum in the Central Division title race. The upcoming matchup against Minnesota marks Gulutzan’s first game as head coach at home since his previous tenure.
Dallas — Stars coach Glen Gulutzan emphasizes the need for the team to compete more in all aspects as Dallas prepares for the home opener against the Minnesota Wild. The Stars enter the American Airlines Center with a 2-0 record after consecutive road wins, and coaching staff and players are focused on tightening details despite the early success.
Lead: Competition and the Home Opener
The immediate priority for the Stars is increased competition across all areas of play ahead of the home opener against Minnesota. The game also marks Gulutzan’s first game as head coach at American Airlines Center since the 2012-13 season finale. Coaching staff implemented practice drills designed to raise compete levels and reinforce physical play patterns that staff view as essential for sustained success.
Supporting details: Games, practice and personnel
The Stars won their first two games on the road against division rivals Winnipeg and Colorado, collecting four points and building early momentum in the Central Division title race. Dallas won 5-4 against Winnipeg despite the Jets scoring two short-handed goals in the third period. In the Colorado matchup, the Stars were outshot 39-22 but won thanks to goalie Jake Oettinger’s 35 saves. Coaching staff credited the goaltending performance in Colorado while noting energy lapses that must be addressed.
Practice on Monday featured 1-on-1 drills focusing on battling for pucks, including goaltenders competing against teammates. The on-ice session emphasized door-to-door physical battles and quick decisions around the net, with coaches stressing that winning individual puck battles translates to controlled possession and scoring chances.
Seven different players have already scored for the Stars, with Wyatt Johnston and Jason Robertson each having two goals. Staff point to balanced scoring as a positive sign early in the season, while also stressing the need to protect leads and sustain energy across full games. The Stars accumulated four points on the road, building early momentum in the Central Division title race.
Coaching context and roster reactions
Gulutzan was previously fired by former GM Jim Nill but was rehired in July after Dallas’ three seasons under coach Pete DeBoer ended with losses in the Western Conference Final. The coaching change returned Gulutzan to Dallas in a head coach role after his prior stint, and the current staff has placed immediate emphasis on compete and territorial play.
Veteran forward Matt Duchene praised Gulutzan’s energy and message, stating they aim to improve continuously, and younger players have reported positive adjustments to the coaching approach. Johnston expressed positivity about the team’s adjustment under Gulutzan’s coaching approach, and the collective message from players is to keep building on wins by tightening various elements of play.
Game-by-game specifics and themes
Coaching staff described the Winnipeg win as a largely controlled performance but noted a need to maintain that control in all periods. Gulutzan stated that the Stars were good for 50 minutes during the Winnipeg game but lacked energy against Colorado, crediting Oettinger for the win. Players and coaches agree the team cannot rely solely on goaltending and must win territorial battles and make the most of limited scoring chances. Gulutzan noted that the Stars don’t need many chances to score and highlighted the importance of winning the territorial battle on the ice.
Duchene remarked that it feels like the team is 1-1 rather than 2-0, indicating they must capitalize on their current record. That perspective reinforces the internal urgency to correct shortfalls even while celebrating back-to-back road victories.
Upcoming opponent and immediate outlook
The Stars are preparing for another competitive game against the Minnesota Wild, who lost their last game to the Blue Jackets. Coaching staff expect a hard-checking, structure-focused opponent, and practice sessions have emphasized compete, board play and quick recovery on defense. The Stars seek to bring the same level of road results to their home ice while avoiding lapses that allowed opponents to remain dangerous late in games.
Background: Early season posture
Early season indicators for Dallas include strong goaltending performances, balanced scoring across lines, and a coaching emphasis on compete and territorial control. Winning two road contests to open the schedule has provided points and momentum, but internal messaging is centered on continuous improvement and full-game consistency. The team aims to tighten various elements of its game despite winning both opening matches.
FAQ
- What is the coach’s main message to the team?
- Stars coach Glen Gulutzan emphasizes the need for the team to compete more in all aspects.
- How did the Stars start the season?
- The Stars won their first two games on the road against division rivals Winnipeg and Colorado.
- What did practice focus on before the home opener?
- Practice on Monday featured 1-on-1 drills focusing on battling for pucks, including goaltenders competing against teammates.
- What is notable about Gulutzan’s return?
- The home opener against Minnesota marks Gulutzan’s first game as head coach at American Airlines Center since the 2012-13 season finale.
- What is Gulutzan’s recent employment history with the Stars?
- Gulutzan was previously fired by former GM Jim Nill but was rehired in July after Dallas’ three seasons under coach Pete DeBoer ended with losses in the Western Conference Final.
- How did the Stars perform in the Winnipeg and Colorado games?
- Dallas won 5-4 against Winnipeg despite the Jets scoring two short-handed goals in the third period. In the game against Colorado, the Stars were outshot 39-22 but won thanks to goalie Jake Oettinger’s 35 saves.
- What is the team’s internal view of its record?
- Duchene remarked that it feels like the team is 1-1 rather than 2-0, indicating they must capitalize on their current record.
- What did the coach say about the Winnipeg and Colorado games?
- Gulutzan stated that the Stars were good for 50 minutes during the Winnipeg game but lacked energy against Colorado, crediting Oettinger for the win.
- How many players have scored so far?
- Seven different players have already scored for the Stars, with Wyatt Johnston and Jason Robertson each having two goals.
- What style does the coach want?
- Gulutzan noted that the Stars don’t need many chances to score and highlighted the importance of winning the territorial battle on the ice.
- How are players responding to the coach?
- Johnston expressed positivity about the team’s adjustment under Gulutzan’s coaching approach.
- What is the team’s immediate objective?
- The team aims to tighten various elements of its game despite winning both opening matches.
- How many points have the Stars earned on the road so far?
- The Stars accumulated four points on the road, building early momentum in the Central Division title race.
- Who is the upcoming opponent?
- The Stars are preparing for another competitive game against the Minnesota Wild, who lost their last game to the Blue Jackets.
Key game and team features
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Season start | 2 road wins |
| Win vs Winnipeg | 5-4, Jets scored two short-handed goals in the third period |
| Win vs Colorado | Outshot 39-22; Jake Oettinger 35 saves |
| Goalscoring balance | Seven different players have already scored; Wyatt Johnston and Jason Robertson each have two goals |
| Road points | 4 points on the road |
| Coach focus | Compete more in all aspects; territorial battle emphasis |
| Coach status | Gulutzan rehired in July after previous firing by former GM Jim Nill |
| Upcoming | Home opener against Minnesota Wild |
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Additional Resources
- NHL: Winning and Learning – Dallas Stars
- Wikipedia: Dallas Stars
- ESPN: NHL 2025-26 Rankings
- Google Search: Dallas Stars
- San Francisco Chronicle: Dallas Stars Home Opener
- Google News: Dallas Stars
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