The Dallas Stars can still score. They are now deeper and more balanced going into the NHL playoffs

FRISCO, Texas (AP) — There was a time not long ago when the Dallas Stars were far too dependent on their top line.

With a trio of 70-point scorers skating together two seasons ago, the Stars didn’t even get out of the first round of the playoffs. That came after being the only one of 16 playoff teams to allow more goals than they scored during the regular season.

Joe Pavelski, Jason Robertson and Roope Hintz remained top scorers last year but got more help as Dallas made it to the Western Conference Final, and the scoring is now even deeper and more balanced. The Central Division champion Stars have a franchise-record and NHL-high eight 20-goal scorers, and a ninth player with more than 50 points.

“Depth is one of the keys,” the 39-year-old Pavelski said.

“You look at all of our numbers and we’re all almost identical, which is pretty cool,” said Matt Duchene, a veteran newcomer to the group this season. “It’s kind of the next-man-up mentality where you just kind of roll the lines over and one night, one line’s going to have a big night, and the next night someone else ... and when we get two going, it’s really scary.”