The Dallas Stars pushed the restart button on Wednesday night’s Game 2 against the Vegas Golden Knights. But, despite getting the first lead of the game, the Stars ultimately dropped a 3-1 decision to the Golden Knights at the American Airlines Center. Dallas fell to 0-2, while Vegas improved to 2-0.
The Stars’ starting lineup featured Radek Faksa, Sam Steel, Evgenii Dadonov, Chris Tanev, Esa Lindell, and Jake Oettinger. Oettinger made 23 saves in a losing effort. Meanwhile, Golden Knights goaltender Logan Thompson made 20 saves for a win.
The Stars hit the ice for Game 2, Stars fans got on their feet after hearing “Puck Off” by Pantera, and the electric atmosphere lit up the arena. However, the cheers turned into boos over the course of the game.
The Stars drew first blood in the first period. Nicolas Roy was called for slashing against Jason Robertson at 16:25. Robertson fired a wrist shot into the Golden Knights’ net for a power play goal and a 1-0 lead at 16:47. Miro Heiskanen and Jamie Benn collected the assists on Robertson’s second of the playoffs.
But the Stars’ lead was short-lived as the Golden Knights quickly responded with a game-tying goal. Jonathan Marchessault blasted a snap shot into the Stars’ net to tie the game 1-1 at 18:09. Jack Eichel and Ivan Barbashev collected the assists on Marchessault’s second of the playoffs.
The game switched to a 4-on-4 late in the first period. Miro Heiskanen was called for embellishment, while Chandler Stephenson was called for hooking against Heiskanen — both calls were made at 19:51.
The Stars and Golden Knights were tied 1-1 at the end of the first period. Dallas outshot Vegas 11-6 after 20 minutes.
The game switched to a 4-on-4 late in the second period. Ryan Suter was called for roughing against Anthony Mantha. Mantha was also called for roughing against Suter. Both calls were made at 13:49.
The Golden Knights took a one-goal lead. Noah Hanifin fired a wrist shot into the Stars’ net to put the Golden Knights 2-1 at 18:53. Hanifin’s unassisted goal was his first of the playoffs.
The Stars trailed the Golden Knights 2-1 at the end of two periods. Shots were tied 16-16 through 40 minutes.
The third period opened with a controversial penalty. Roope Hintz was called for delaying the game with a puck over the glass at 4:06, and Dallas killed off the penalty.
The Stars pulled their goaltender for an extra attacker, which led to a 5-on-6 with less than two minutes left in regulation.
The Golden Knights sealed the scoring. Jack Eichel fired a wrist shot into the Stars’ empty net to make it a 3-1 game at 19:26. Jonathan Marchessault collected the lone assist on Eichel’s first of the playoffs.
The Stars fell to the Golden Knights 3-1 in regulation. Vegas outshot Dallas 27-21 after 60 minutes.
Notes
Three Stars of the Game
1. Logan Thompson (1.000 GAA and .952 SV%)
2. Noah Hanifin (1 point: 1 goal)
3. Jake Oettinger (2.04 GAA and .920 SV%)
In Memoriam
The Dallas Stars reported the death of Al Shaver, the Voice of the Minnesota North Stars, on Wednesday. Shaver was 96.
Chocktaw Playoff Sweepstakes
The Dallas Stars tweeted Wednesday that thanks to Chocktaw Casinos and Resorts, you can enter to win four tickets to a Stars home playoff game, an autographed jersey, and a two-night VIP stay at Chocktaw Casinos and Resorts. If you’re interested in entering the Chocktaw Playoff Sweepstakes, click here.
Up Next
The Stars will travel to Las Vegas, Nevada, to take on the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 3 on Saturday at 9:30 p.m. Central.
ITR 43: It's Winning Time – Inside The Rink
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