The Dallas Stars immortalized Mike Modano with a statue on Victory Plaza and righted the ship with a win over the Los Angeles Kings — and that they did. The Stars defeated the Kings 4-1 at the American Airlines Center on Saturday night. Dallas improved to 41-19-9, while Los Angeles fell to 34-22-11.
The Stars’ starting lineup featured Miro Heiskanen, Thomas Harley, Sam Steel, Matt Duchene, Mason Marchment, and Scott Wedgewood. Wedgewood made 27 saves for a win. Meanwhile, Kings backup goalie David Rittich made 25 saves in a losing effort.
After a lucky bounce, Thomas Harley batted in an unreal goal to help the Stars to an early 1-0 lead at 2:28 of the first period. Radek Faksa collected the lone assist on Harley’s 15th of the season.
Craig Smith fired a wrist shot into the Kings’ net to make it a 2-0 game at 8:49 of the first period. Miro Heiskanen and Thomas Harley collected the assists on Smith’s ninth of the season.
Wyatt Johnston blasted in a wrist shot to put the Stars up 3-0 at 15:15 of the first period. Ryan Suter and Logan Stankoven collected the assists on Johnston’s 26th of the season.
The Stars led the Kings 3-0 at the end of the first period. Shots were tied at 12 apiece after 20 minutes.
Pierre-Luc Dubois was called for hooking against Radek Faksa at 2:08 of the second period. Stars captain Jamie Benn capitalized on the man advantage with a wrist shot to extend the Stars’ lead to 4-0 at 2:30. Joe Pavelski and Jason Robertson collected the assists on Benn’s 12th of the season.
The Stars brought a commanding 4-0 lead to the locker room at the end of two periods. Dallas outshot LA 23-19 through 40 minutes.
Kevin Fiala ended the Stars’ shutout bid with a wrist shot, beating Jake Oettinger, to cut the lead to 4-1 at 1:11 of the third period. Pierre-Luc Dubois collected the lone assist on Fiala’s 22nd of the season.
The Stars defeated the Kings 4-1 in regulation. Dallas outshot LA 29-28 after a full 60 minutes.
Notes
Three Stars of the Game
1. Scott Wedgewood (1.01 GAA and .964 SV%)
2. Craig Smith (1 point: 1 goal)
3. Wyatt Johnston (1 point: 1 goal)
Legends Are Made
Stars legend Mike Modano was immortalized during the first intermission of Saturday’s game due to the weather and out of an abundance of caution for the Stars’ fans and staffers.
Up Next
The Stars will welcome the Arizona Coyotes to the AAC on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. Central.
