The Dallas Stars have adopted a mantra of “A little less for a lot more,” a motto prominently displayed on a green banner signed by every player. Initially, it may have seemed like a clichéd motivational tool, but as the Stars progress deeper into the Stanley Cup Playoffs, it has become the foundation of their success.
Since the season’s outset, this motto has driven the team to play selflessly, focusing on depth and teamwork. This strategy has proven effective, as the Stars have advanced to the Western Conference finals by defeating the last two Stanley Cup champions, the Vegas Golden Knights and the Colorado Avalanche, a feat never accomplished before in the expansion era.
“We’re the true definition of a team,” forward Matt Duchene said. “The strength is in our depth. … We play with that identity.” This depth was crucial in their series against Vegas, where the fourth line, along with Radek Faksa, delivered the series-clinching performance. Duchene himself scored a pivotal double-overtime goal against Colorado, highlighting the team’s balanced contributions.
The Stars’ approach involves rotating four lines effectively, ensuring top forwards remain fresh while maintaining pressure on opponents. Coach Pete DeBoer emphasized the importance of this strategy, especially during gruelling overtime periods, stating, “The longer this goes, the more it benefits us.”

This depth was evident in their playoff games, where Dallas’ top players logged significantly fewer minutes compared to their Colorado counterparts, allowing them to outlast and outplay their competition.
Injuries have tested the Stars’ depth further, with top-line forward Roope Hintz missing games due to an upper-body injury. Despite this, Dallas has continued to excel, with 16 different players scoring in the playoffs, the highest among the remaining teams.
Colorado coach Jared Bednar acknowledged the Stars’ formidable roster, stating, “They’re a really good team. They’re disciplined. They’re deep. They’ve got great goaltending. They’re well-coached. They’ve got everything that you can ask for in a team. They’re a contender in my book”.
As the Stars advance, their motto of “A little less for a lot more” underscores their collective effort and depth, bringing them closer to their ultimate goal: the Stanley Cup.