The Dallas Stars returned home and looked to string together two wins in a row with a win over the Los Angeles Kings. The Stars defeated the Kings 5-1 at the American Airlines Center on Thursday night. Dallas improved to 26-12-5, while Los Angeles fell to 21-12-8.
The Stars’ starting lineup featured Jason Robertson, Wyatt Johnston, Roope Hintz, Thomas Harley, Joel Hanley, and Jake Oettinger. Oettinger stopped 32 of 33 shots he faced.
The Stars got on the board first. Roope Hintz fired a wrist shot into the Kings’ net for a 1-0 lead at 9:21 of the opening period. Wyatt Johnston and Jason Robertson collected the assists on Hintz’s 18th of the season.
The Stars doubled the lead. Evgenii Dadonov shot a wrist shot into the Kings’ net to give the Stars a 2-0 lead at 15:21 of the first period. Craig Smith and Esa Lindell collected the assists on Dadonov’s tenth of the season.
The Stars led 2-0 at the end of the first. Dallas outshot Los Angeles 8-3 after the opening 20 minutes. The Kings wasted no time cutting the Stars’ lead in half to open the second-period scoring. Radek Faksa was called for tripping Quinton Byfield at 1:31. Drew Doughty capitalized on the man advantage for a power-play goal on a snapshot to make it a 2-1 game at 1:31, too. Phillip Danault and Adrian Kempe collected the assists on Doughty’s ninth of the season.
The Stars brought a 2-1 lead to the locker room at the end of two periods. Los Angeles outshot Dallas 19-17 through 40 minutes. It was make-or-break time for the Stars, and the home team insured themselves in the third period. Wyatt Johnston buried a snap shot to extend the Stars’ lead to 3-1 at 5:49. Roope Hintz and Jason Robertson collected the assists on Johnston’s 12th of the season.
Joe Pavelski scored a goal on a snapshot to expand the Stars’ lead to 4-1 at 6:52. Thomas Harley and Evgenii Dadonov collected the assists on Pavelski’s 18th of the season.
Sam Steel added a short-handed goal on a snapshot to help the Stars put the game out of reach, 5-1, at 9:33. Radek Faksa collected the lone assist on Steel’s fifth of the season.
The Stars defeated the Kings 5-1 in regulation. Los Angeles outshot Dallas 33-28 after a full 60 minutes.
Notes
Three Stars of the Game
1. Jake Oettinger (1.00 GAA and .969 SV%)
2. Wyatt Johnston (2 points: 1 goal and 1 assist)
3. Roope Hintz (2 points: 1 goal and 1 assist)
Cheers to 600
Dallas Stars center Radek Faska skated in his 600th NHL game on Tuesday night.
Cheers to 300
Dallas Stars center Sam Steel skated in his 300th NHL game on Tuesday night.
Cheers to 33 Years
Dallas Stars veteran center Matt Duchene turned 33 on Tuesday.
AHL to NHL
The Dallas Stars recalled goaltender Matt Murray from the Texas Stars.
Morning Skate Update
According to Dallas Stars radio host Owen Newkirk, Scott Wedgewood’s tests came back with good news. Stars head coach Pete DeBoer reportedly said it’s “not too serious.” and “He actually went for a skate this morning and is listed as day-to-day.” Miro Heiskanen is skating regularly and is set to go on the Stars’ next road trip.
Up Next
The Stars will kick off a four-game road trip at the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday at 6:00 p.m. Central.
