4 Big Questions for the Dallas Stars in 2020-21

2. Can Anton Khudobin stand on his head again?

Anton Khudobin has always been a reliable backup in the National Hockey League, but he really elevated his stock in 2019-20 after earning hero status in Dallas for his performances inside The Bubble.

With Ben Bishop ruled unfit to play, Khudobin really carried the load with 24 starts and, at times, single-handily led the Stars to the Stanley Cup Final.

He went 14-10-0 with a .917 Save Percentage and a 2.69 Goals Against Average, particularly coming up huge and standing on his head time and time again in the Western Conference Final against the Vegas Golden Knights.

While the Tampa Bay Lightning proved a bridge too far in the end, Khudobin had proved that he’s got what it takes to be a high-end starter in the NHL and he will be key once again for the Dallas Stars in 2020-21.

With Ben Bishop out until March after undergoing knee surgery, which is a long time in a shortened season, Khudobin will be relied on heavily once again by this Stars team that win more thanks to their defense rather than their less-than-explosive offense.

Yes, the Stars do feel as though they have something in young netminder Jake Oettinger, but the 22-year-old has only appeared in two postseason games and has yet to play in an actual NHL regular-season game.

So, while most teams will rely on a goalie tandem in what will be sprint to the postseason this year, the Dallas Stars may well have to lean on Anton Khudobin once again, who will have to deliver a repeat of his postseason heroics from last year if his team are to stay afloat in the early stages of the 2020-21 NHL season.