The Dallas Stars hosted the San Jose Sharks with some good old Southern hospitality by singing Baby Shark before the first game of the home-and-home series. The Stars defeated the Sharks 3-2 in a shootout the American Airlines Center on Saturday night. Dallas improved to 37-17-9, while San Jose fell to 15-38-6.
The Stars’ starting lineup featured Miro Heiskanen, Roope Hintz, Joe Pavelski, Thomas Harley, Jason Robertson, and Jake Oettinger. Oettinger made 21 saves for a win. Meanwhile, Sharks rookie goaltender Magnus Chrona made 36 saves in his second NHL start. Chrona started just one period after allowing four goals against the Edmonton Oilers on December 28, 2023.
The Sharks bit the Stars to open the first-period scoring. William Eklund fired a wrist shot into the Stars’ net for an early 1-0 lead at 4:39 of the first period. Luke Kunin and Jan Rutta collected the assists on Eklund’s tenth of the season.
The Stars received two power-play opportunities in the first period but couldn’t capitalize on the man advantage. The Stars trailed the Sharks 1-0 at the end of the first. Dallas outshot San Jose 12-6 after the opening 20 minutes.
The Stars finally got on the board when Radek Faksa put home a backhand shot to tie the game 1-1 at 3:08 of the second period. Craig Smith and Sam Steel collected the assists on Faksa’s fourth of the season.
The Sharks took a late one-goal lead as Filip Zadina put a wrist shot past Jake Oettinger to make it a 2-1 game at 17:08 of the second period. Luke Kunin collected the lone assist on Zadina’s ninth of the season. After further review, the officials confirmed Zadina’s puck crossed the goal line.
Neither team capitalized on the man advantage in the second period. The Stars trailed the Sharks 2-1 at the end of two periods. Dallas outshot San Jose 29-11 through 40 minutes.
The Stars eventually capitalized on the man advantage after Filip Zadina was called for delaying the game with a puck over the glass at 4:05 of the third period. Jason Robertson fired a wrist shot into the Sharks’ net to tie the game 2-2 at 4:08. Miro Heiskanen and Jamie Benn collected the assists on Robertson’s 21st of the season.
The game was tied 2-2 at the end of regulation. Dallas outshot San Jose 36-20 after a full 60 minutes.
Neither team scored in overtime, which led to a shootout. Dallas outshot San Jose 38-23 after 65 minutes.
Jamie Benn lifted the Stars to a 3-2 win over the Sharks with a seventh-round shootout goal.
Notes
Three Stars of the Game
1. Jake Oettinger (1.85 GAA and .913 SV%)
2. Magnus Chrona (1.85 GAA and .947 SV%)
3. Jamie Benn (1 point: 1 assist)
Cheers to 100
Thomas Harley skated in his 100th NHL game on Saturday.
February Statistics
February was Matt Duchene’s month, as he recorded 11 points (six goals and five assists) in 12 games.
Cedar Park to Dallas
The Dallas Stars recalled Logan Stankoven from the Texas Stars on Saturday.
In Case You Missed It
Jake Oettinger notched his 100th career win after the Stars’ 4-1 grounding of the Jets on Thursday.
Up Next
The Stars will travel to the Bay Area to take on the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday at 9:30 p.m. Central.
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