After 26 mediocre years in Minnesota, the North Stars moved to Dallas, becoming the Stars after flirting with the notion of the name Lone Stars. On October 5th, the State of Texas finally had an NHL team of its own, after years of Minor League Hockey and the WHA's Houston Aeros, as the Stars beat the Detroit Red Wings at Reunion Arena 6-4.

The Stars would go on to have a solid first season in Dallas as Mike Modano scored 50 goals with the Stars finishing in third place in the Central Division with a solid 42-29-13. In the playoffs, the Stars got off to a fast start sweeping the St.

Louis Blues in four straight games. However, in the second round, they would be upset by the Vancouver Canucks in five games.