Jim Montgomery saw what he was looking for Thursday night in a 5-2 against the Anaheim Ducks.



His Dallas Stars team dictated play. They possessed the puck. They played fast, and for both the players and the fans at American Airlines Center, hockey was fun again.



“If you look at a picture of what Stars hockey should look like, that’s tonight,” Montgomery said after the game.



While it comes with a slight modifier and requires perspective because of the opponent — the Ducks and Los Angeles Kings are not good hockey teams right now — the past two games have been an ideal sign for the Stars before a six-game road trip that could very well define their season.



During a three-game losing streak, the Stars were chasing too much. Chasing situations, chasing down the puck, just chasing everything. It’s easier to win a race, or a hockey game, if you take charge and never have to chase.



This is why clean zone entries...