A casual fan's guide to the Dallas Stars season

Last season: The Stars made it to the Western Conference finals, knocking out the Minnesota Wild and Seattle Kraken along the way.

• Yes, but: Dallas couldn't overcome the vaunted Vegas Golden Knights, the team that went on to win the 2023 Stanley Cup.

The big picture: The Stars will look to capitalize on last season's momentum with a mix of young superstars and weathered veterans. The team's fate will likely depend on the play of goalie Jake Oettinger. 🦦

• Oettinger was all-world in the 2022 playoffs but struggled a bit in the 2023 postseason.

Storylines to watch: Can Oettinger play well over a full season? If he tends goal as masterfully as he did two years ago, Dallas could be a powerhouse in 2023-24.

• Can Jason Robertson and Roope Hintz keep scoring? Robertson led the team in scoring last year but hit a dry spell in the playoffs.
• Can Joe Pavelski continue to defy time? The 39-year-old was great again last season, but he won't be able to play at that level forever.
• Will the Stars wear those ugly neon uniforms again? They're hideous.

Expectations: Oddsmakers have the Stars in the top 10 teams most likely to win the Stanley Cup.