The Dallas Stars had been showing signs of improvement since undergoing a major offseason overhaul, but after a decent yet unspectacular start, they're really clicking now.

Dallas has reeled off four wins in its last five games and eight in its last 11, including a 4-2 victory over the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday. The team now sits in the first Western Conference wild-card spot, but it's not just Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn doing the heavy lifting.

After missing the playoffs a season ago, there are several factors that can explain why Dallas is finally putting the pieces together:

Defense

The biggest reason for the Stars' improvement isn't one of their marquee mainstays or free-agent acquisitions, but rather head coach Ken Hitchcock, who was brought back into the organization to replace the fired Lindy Ruff last spring.

Hitchcock's defensive emphasis has noticeably improved the club through 46 games, and has been evident on even the most basic levels:

The Stars are surrendering fewer shots on goal per contest, even as the rate across the entire league has risen:

Most importantly, they're limiting opposing scoring chances better than any other team after being one of the worst at doing so last season:

That's a stunning transformation, and the Stars' ability to limit opposing shots and scoring chances should continue, as the club ranks fifth in the NHL in expected goals against (73.17) at even strength.

Klingberg's development

John Klingberg had a mild setback by his standards in 2016-17, even though it was ultimately a productive campaign, but he's now taken his game to a completely different level.

Dallas' franchise defenseman followed up a 58-point season in 2015-16 with a 49-point effort last year, but he's piling up nearly a point per game (43 in 46 contests) so far in 2017-18, leading all NHL defensemen in assists and points while not getting much recognition for it.

Klingberg is driving possession at an even-strength Corsi For percentage of 53.66, compared to his 49.7 mark from 2016-17. That ranks him second best among Stars' skaters this season, compared to a mere 19th last year.

Considering how much better his team is playing on the defensive end and how well he's performing offensively, few are questioning Klingberg's defensive abilities, but they haven't actually been cause for much concern. In fact, his expected goals against compares favorably to some similar players.

Klingberg should certainly be in the Norris Trophy conversation if he continues to produce at or near this level, and even if he regresses, his development is a major reason why the Stars have made a leap themselves.

Radulov and that fearsome top line

Benn and Seguin are always going to be among the league's best at generating offense, but the addition of Alexander Radulov and the insertion of the ever-animated winger on Dallas' top forward unit has created a truly formidable trio.

Some questioned Stars general manager Jim Nill for signing the 30-year-old Radulov to a five-year deal last July, but it's paying off in spades right now, particularly since Hitchcock put Radulov alongside Dallas' two most explosive scorers.

The Russian forward has 17 goals and 42 points in 46 games, and he's helped bolster both Seguin's and Benn's production. Seguin's 0.48 goals per game so far would be a 50 percent improvement over last season, while Benn's goal and point averages are also up from 2016-17.

Dallas has possessed a potent double-pronged offensive attack for years, but Radulov has made it even better, and he's been a huge reason for the club's success so far this season.

(Photos courtesy Getty Images, statistics courtesy Corsica Hockey, Hockey Reference, and Natural Stat Trick)

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The Dallas Stars had been showing signs of improvement since undergoing a major offseason overhaul, but after a decent yet unspectacular start, they're really clicking now.

Dallas has reeled off four wins in its last five games and eight in its last 11, including a 4-2 victory over the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday. The team now sits in the first Western Conference wild-card spot, but it's not just Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn doing the heavy lifting.

After missing the playoffs a season ago, there are several factors that can explain why Dallas is finally putting the pieces together:

Defense

The biggest reason for the Stars' improvement isn't one of their marquee mainstays or free-agent acquisitions, but rather head coach Ken Hitchcock, who was brought back into the organization to replace the fired Lindy Ruff last spring.

Hitchcock's defensive emphasis has noticeably improved the club through 46 games, and has been evident on even the most basic levels:

The Stars are surrendering fewer shots on goal per contest, even as the rate across the entire league has risen:

Most importantly, they're limiting opposing scoring chances better than any other team after being one of the worst at doing so last season:

That's a stunning transformation, and the Stars' ability to limit opposing shots and scoring chances should continue, as the club ranks fifth in the NHL in expected goals against (73.17) at even strength.

Klingberg's development

John Klingberg had a mild setback by his standards in 2016-17, even though it was ultimately a productive campaign, but he's now taken his game to a completely different level.

Dallas' franchise defenseman followed up a 58-point season in 2015-16 with a 49-point effort last year, but he's piling up nearly a point per game (43 in 46 contests) so far in 2017-18, leading all NHL defensemen in assists and points while not getting much recognition for it.

Klingberg is driving possession at an even-strength Corsi For percentage of 53.66, compared to his 49.7 mark from 2016-17. That ranks him second best among Stars' skaters this season, compared to a mere 19th last year.

Considering how much better his team is playing on the defensive end and how well he's performing offensively, few are questioning Klingberg's defensive abilities, but they haven't actually been cause for much concern. In fact, his expected goals against compares favorably to some similar players.

Klingberg should certainly be in the Norris Trophy conversation if he continues to produce at or near this level, and even if he regresses, his development is a major reason why the Stars have made a leap themselves.

Radulov and that fearsome top line

Benn and Seguin are always going to be among the league's best at generating offense, but the addition of Alexander Radulov and the insertion of the ever-animated winger on Dallas' top forward unit has created a truly formidable trio.

Some questioned Stars general manager Jim Nill for signing the 30-year-old Radulov to a five-year deal last July, but it's paying off in spades right now, particularly since Hitchcock put Radulov alongside Dallas' two most explosive scorers.

The Russian forward has 17 goals and 42 points in 46 games, and he's helped bolster both Seguin's and Benn's production. Seguin's 0.48 goals per game so far would be a 50 percent improvement over last season, while Benn's goal and point averages are also up from 2016-17.

Dallas has possessed a potent double-pronged offensive attack for years, but Radulov has made it even better, and he's been a huge reason for the club's success so far this season.

(Photos courtesy Getty Images, statistics courtesy Corsica Hockey, Hockey Reference, and Natural Stat Trick)

Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

EAST MEADOW, N.Y. – Playing alongside John Tavares is good for most players, as anyone from Matt Moulson to Kyle Okposo will tell you. As much of a boost as there is from skating on the Islanders captain’s line, though, the season that Anders Lee is having is something different.

It was last season when Lee linked up with Tavares and Josh Bailey, with Lee playing about two-thirds of his five-on-five minutes as part of the trio. The result was a career-best 34 goals. Lee has only continued to fill the net this campaign, with Tavares taking aim at his first career 100-point season and Bailey – in mid-January – only six points away from the career-high point total of 56 he set a year ago.

"It’s a combination of good line chemistry, working hard, getting bounces, taking advantage of opportunities, and trying to pick up where we left off last year," Lee told theScore. "I’ve kind of rolled with it this year … Us three have been together at parts since I’ve been here, but consistently for the last year or so, plus, and I think all three of our games, the chemistry, the different styles just meld together really well. The way those two see the ice and we work off each other, and stick to our own game, makes us successful."

With 26 goals, Lee trails only Washington's Alex Ovechkin and Tampa Bay's Nikita Kucherov in the race for the Rocket Richard Trophy. He's on pace for 46 goals, and more than halfway through the season, that means it’s possible to start thinking historically.

The highest goal total for a Tavares linemate was Moulson's 36 in 2011-12. The last Islanders 40-goal man was Jason Blake in 2006-07. It’s been 20 years since Ziggy Palffy recorded the Islanders’ last 45-goal season, and 25 since Pierre Turgeon was their last to hit 50. While the half-century mark is within reach, Turgeon’s 58 from the 1992-93 season is probably out of the picture.

Lee doesn't mind talking about reaching various scoring plateaus - but the 27-year-old is far more excited by the Minnesota Vikings’ playoff run. Lee is, after all, from Edina, Minn., and was the runner-up for the state’s “Mr. Football” award his senior year of high school as a quarterback behind Varmah Sonie, now a star cornerback in the Arena Football League.

"A quarterback in hockey terms, you’re looking at a guy running the point and stuff on the power play, and it’s kind of the opposite for me right now," Lee said. “But it’s one of those things where you’ve got to read and react, find the open play, and try to stay on your feet … I’ve always played this style, but matched up with guys like John and Josh, I’m going to be the guy that’s down in the corners and in front of the net. They’re going to be the guys that are high, with the puck a little bit more.

"I can create space for them to make plays, and you give those two guys space, good things are going to happen. I think all three of our styles of game just do really complement each other well.”

Lee’s particular style is the biggest reason to believe his goal production will regress. While Ovechkin’s league-leading 28 goals have come on a league-leading 193 shots, Lee is tied for 77th in the NHL for shots on goal. He’s scored on 23.4 percent of them, easily the highest rate of anyone with 100 or more shots.

The difference, though, is that Lee is not a volume shooter, nor particularly a sniper. His ability to work in the corners and in front of the net has allowed him to do more damage with fewer opportunities as Tavares - who is having a stellar season with 24 goals - takes the lion’s share of the shots.

It’s also worth noting that Lee’s shooting clip last season was 17.8 percent, which lends credence to the notion that while he may be getting some bounces, an above-average percentage is not a fluke for him.

“It’s for sure high, but I don’t know what else to say about it,” Lee said of his shooting percentage. “I think right now, some of my shots are in tight, with a little bit of time, and I haven’t been putting up five-, six-, seven-shot games which would bring that percentage down. So, it’s kind of better shots and they happen to be going in. But I feel like the quality’s there for sure.”

The entire NHL is now seeing that quality, looking up to see Lee rise in a season where his own skill must be recognized just as much as the fact that he plays on a line with one of the game’s best.

(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)

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Hold your horses, people. Jack Johnson might not be demanding a trade, after all.

Related: Report: Jack Johnson requests trade from Blue Jackets

Columbus Blue Jackets head coach John Tortorella offered some insight Wednesday regarding the developing scenario surrounding his D-man after Johnson reportedly demanded a trade last week, and according to Torts, it's not that clear-cut.

"He didn’t come out and say 'I want to be traded,' " Tortorella stated, according to Steve Gorten of the Columbus Dispatch. "He said, 'I just think some stuff’s going to probably start coming out along the way. I want to talk to you face-to-face. I love it here. I want to improve as a player. I want it to work here, but I also have to think about my family.'"

Johnson's so-called trade demand might not have been for real, but his frustration with his reduced playing time and role on the team is. The frustration has started to dissipate, however, as Johnson has begun to earn his coach's trust back.

"You slowly start getting a bigger role back," Johnson said. "Hopefully it keeps trending in the right direction because I know I have a lot to give, and I know I can help this team out a lot."

Despite Johnson's unhappiness with his diminished role and minutes, Tortorella isn't holding anything against the veteran defenseman for speaking his mind.

"I’m certainly not going to go the other way because a player is talking about his future ... Jack loves it here. His family loves it here. So if we get him playing better, and maybe win some games, who knows where it all goes here?"

Johnson's next opportunity to prove his worth comes Thursday night when Columbus hosts the Dallas Stars.

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The Philadelphia Flyers will retire Eric Lindros' iconic No. 88 ahead of Thursday's contest against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The ceremony will recognize his eight seasons with the black and orange - an era in which the then-Flyers captain was seen as hockey's "Next One."

Here are our top five most memorable "Big E" moments from his time in Philadelphia:

Philadelphia debut

Fans packed the Spectrum to witness Lindros' first game in Philadelphia in October 1992. He didn't disappoint.

After scoring his first goal in his NHL debut - a road game versus the rival Pittsburgh Penguins - Lindros extended his streak to two games when he stripped the puck from future Norris Trophy winner Scott Niedermayer and tucked it by New Jersey Devils netminder Chris Terreri.

No stick, no problem

With this kind of fancy footwork, maybe he could have had an MLS career.

Losing his stick wasn't enough to keep the puck away from Lindros, as shown by his impressive battle along the boards in the 1997 playoff opener against the Penguins. He wrapped the night with one goal and one assist.

Playoff penalty shot

A miscue by Buffalo Sabres goaltender Steve Shields and a subsequent trip on the Flyers captain led to this penalty shot showdown in the 1997 playoffs.

Charging toward the net, Lindros beat Shields for the first playoff penalty-shot goal in Flyers history, then tapped the brakes just enough to avoid barreling over linesman Gerard Gauthier.

Two tallies vs. Nordiques

Nordiques fans were sour enough that Lindros refused to play in the Quebec capital, but scoring twice in his first trip to the city? Talk about rubbing salt in the wound.

That was the story in October 1992, as Lindros pocketed a pair of goals at the raucous Colisee, bringing his total to four goals and an assist through his first four NHL games.

Conference final hat trick

Scoring in the playoffs is difficult enough, but Lindros made it look like child's play in this 1997 conference final contest against the New York Rangers, as he slid three goals by New York netminder Mike Richter.

Years later, fans of the Broadway Blueshirts welcomed Lindros as one of their own, as the "Big E" was traded to New York during the 2001 offseason.

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The Charlotte Checkers played a game against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers on Wednesday in front of ... well ... nobody.

The game was was closed to the public due to inclement weather in the area.

The rare circumstance allowed the Carolina Hurricanes affiliate to have some fun, including a bizarre edition of the "kiss cam."

Despite having no one to cheer them on, the Checkers skated away with a 4-3 victory.

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Tuukka Rask and the Boston Bruins continue to roll.

The Bruins thumped the Montreal Canadiens 4-1 on Wednesday night, and with the win, Rask has now helped Boston to at least a point in his last 15 games, going 13-0-2. He overtakes Tampa Bay Lightning netminder Andrei Vasilevskiy (13-0-1) for the longest such streak this season, according to NHL Public Relations.

During this stretch, Rask has put up a .939 save percentage and a 1.65 goals-against average. More importantly, he has helped the Bruins put together a staggering 14-2-4 record in their last 20 games and has them making a charge for the top spot in the Atlantic Division.

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Louis Domingue was ready to give up.

In a recent interview with Matt Sammon and Brian Engblom of the "Lightning Power Play" podcast, the 25-year-old goaltender said he hit rock bottom after a slow start this season, left with the feeling that his playing days were over.

Through seven games with the last-place Arizona Coyotes, Domingue came up winless, seemingly losing his confidence before losing his spot to AHL call-up Adin Hill and newcomer Scott Wedgewood.

In late October, the Coyotes waived him. Ultimately clearing, he didn't follow the usual path of an assignment to the minors, as the organization's AHL team already had three netminders, Coyotes correspondent Craig Morgan reports. However, an assignment to the team's ECHL affiliate was on the table.

Domingue declined, choosing to bide his time while Arizona worked to find him a new home. A deal materialized just over two weeks later, when he was traded to Tampa Bay and subsequently assigned to the Lightning's farm club in Syracuse.

He got his game back on track with the Crunch, finding the win column 11 times through 15 games while posting a .921 save percentage and 2.07 goals-against average.

When an injury to the Lightning's veteran backup, Peter Budaj, opened up an NHL spot, Domingue's performance was enough to earn him the call.

He made his return to the show on Jan. 7, turning aside 34 shots and backstopping the Lightning to a 5-2 win over the Detroit Red Wings.

It was his first victory since April 6 of last season.

"If you would have called me a month and a half ago or so, I was going to Europe in my head," Domingue told Sammon and Engblom. "I was looking for answers. ... Honestly, I almost quit hockey."

Domingue has been rewarded for his play, as he remains on the roster while Budaj recovers from a leg injury. And while his time in the desert ended on a down note, he remains thankful to the Coyotes for giving him his start in the big leagues.

"Maybe if I was drafted somewhere else, I would have never played in the NHL," he said. "I'm very fortunate to have gotten a chance with Arizona. I'm very grateful for that."

- With h/t to Raw Charge

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