The Dallas Stars looked to win three games in a row with a win over the Montreal Canadiens — who tried to snap a three-game losing skid — to ring in the New Year on a positive note. Unfortunately, the Stars failed to stay hot and lost to the Canadiens 4-3 at the American Airlines Center. Dallas fell to 22-10-4, while Montreal improved to 16-16-5.
Canadiens goalie Sam Montembeault made 31 saves for a hard-fought win.
Before the game, Dallas recognized its Star of December in Scott Wedgewood. Wedgewood had seven wins and one overtime loss in nine starts in net.
The Stars’ starting lineup featured Jani Hakanpää, Wyatt Johnston, Jamie Benn, Evgenii Dadonov, Esa Lindell, and Scott Wedgewood. Wedgewood made 14 saves in a losing effort.
The Stars flipped the script as they wasted no time getting on the board to open the first period. Stars captain Jamie Benn fired a wrist shot into the Canadiens’ net for an early 1-0 lead just 11 seconds into the first. Wyatt Johnston collected the assist on Benn’s seventh of the season.
However, the Stars’ lead was short-lived. Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki blasted a slap shot into the Stars’ net to tie the game 1-1 at 4:14 of the first. Juraj Slafkovsky and Jordan Harris collected the assists on Suzuki’s 12th of the season.
The Canadiens took a 2-1 lead at 9:46 of the first. Kaiden Guhle scored on a snap shot. Johnathan Kovacevic and Michael Pezzetta collected the assists on Guhle’s third of the season.
The Stars trailed the Canadiens 2-1 at the end of the first. Montreal outshot Dallas 6-5 after the opening 20 minutes. The Canadiens made it a 3-1 game at 6:54 of the second period. Jordan Harris scored an unassisted, wrist-shot goal for his first of the season.
The Stars trailed the Canadiens 3-1 at the end of the second. Dallas outshot Montreal 18-11 after 40 minutes. The Canadiens extended the lead to 4-1 at 6:45 of the third period. Cole Caufield capitalized on the man advantage for a power-play goal off a snap shot. Sean Monahan and Nick Suzuki collected the assists on Caufield’s 11th of the season.
The Stars responded with two goals to make it a one-goal game, 4-3, but it was too little, too late. Wyatt Johnston executed a backhand shot to cut the Canadiens’ lead in half, 4-2, at 16:12. Evgenii Dadonov and Mason Marchment collected the assists on Johnston’s 10th of the season. Jason Robertson also executed a backhand shot and reduced the Canadiens’ lead to 4-3 at 18:00.
The Stars lost to the Canadiens 4-3 in regulation. Dallas outshot Montreal 33-18 after a full 60 minutes.
Notes
Three Stars of the Game
1. Sam Montembeault (3.00 GAA and .909 SV%)
2. Nick Suzuki (2 points: 1 goal and 1 assist)
3. Wyatt Johnston (2 points: 1 goal and 1 assist)
Team of the Year
EA Sports NHL announced their Team of the Year nominees. Jason Robertson and Miro Heiskanen were two of the TOTY nominees. Build your TOTY here.
AHL to NHL
The Dallas Stars recalled Matt Murray from the Texas Stars the day after New Year’s.
Enter to Win
The Dallas Stars offered an opportunity to win a custom-painted Dallas Stars 2023 Harley-Davidson Street Glide. Enter to win here.
NHL to AHL
The Dallas Stars loaned Matt Murray to the Texas Stars on New Year’s Day.
Up Next
The Stars will continue the homestand with a home game against the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday at 7:00 p.m. Central.
ITR 36: Coaching Carousel – Inside The Rink
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