The Dallas Stars were in Las Vegas, Nevada, to take on the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday night. The Stars avoided a 3-0 deficit with a 3-2 overtime win over the Golden Knights in Game 3 at T-Mobile Arena. Dallas improved to 1-2, while Vegas fell to 2-1.
The Stars’ starting lineup featured Jason Robertson, Roope Hintz, Wyatt Johnston, Miro Heiskanen, Thomas Harley, and Jake Oettinger. Oettinger made 32 saves for a win.
Meanwhile, Golden Knights goaltender Logan Thompson made a whopping 43 saves in a losing effort.
The Stars were off to a strong start, outshooting the Golden Knights 7-2 before the 10-minute mark of the opening period. The Stars also had something to show this time around, as Wyatt Johnston put a backhand shot into the Golden Knights’ net for a 1-0 lead at 11:11. Johnston’s unassisted goal was his first of the playoffs.
Things got chippy between the Stars and Golden Knights late in the first period. Chandler Stephenson was called for hooking against Jason Robertson at 14:34. But the Stars couldn’t score a power-play goal. Dallas was 0-for-1 on the power play.
The Stars trailed the Golden Knights 1-0 at the end of the first period. Dallas outshot Vegas 18-7 after 20 minutes.
The Stars had another strong start, outshooting the Golden Knights 7-2 before the 14-minute mark of the second period. The Stars doubled the lead, as Miro Heiskanen fired a wrist shot into the Golden Knights’ net for a 2-0 lead at 5:25. Tyler Seguin and Evgenii Dadonov collected the assists on Heiskanen’s first of the playoffs.
It wasn’t long before the Stars and Golden Knights got into action. Esa Lindell was called for hooking against Jack Eichel at 6:40. But the Golden Knights couldn’t score a power-play goal. Vegas was 0-for-1 on the power play.
The penalties kept on coming, as William Carrier was called for roughing against Stars captain Jamie Benn at 10:33. Simultaneously, Benn was also called for roughing against Carrier. The game went into a 4-on-4, but the Stars couldn’t score a power-play. Dallas was 0-for-2 on the power play.
The Golden Knights made it a one-goal game. Brayden McNabb fired a wrist shot into the Stars’ net to cut the lead in half, 2-1, at 10:40. Chandler Stephenson collected the lone assist on McNabb’s second of the playoffs.
The Golden Knights tied the game at two apiece on the 4-on-4. Tomas Hertl was called for high-sticking against Miro Heiskanen at 12:59. Jack Eichel fired a wrist shot into the Stars’ net for a short-handed goal and a 2-2 tie at 13:50. Brayden McNabb collected the lone assist on Eichel’s second of the playoffs.
The Stars and Golden Knights were tied 2-2 at the end of two periods. Dallas outshot Vegas 33-17 through 40 minutes.
The Golden Knights had a strong start, outshooting the Stars 5-2 before the nine-minute mark of the third period. But neither team scored to seal a 3-2 win in regulation, so the game went into the overtime period. Dallas outshot Vegas 38-27 after 60 minutes.
Golden Knights fans in attendance were treated to overtime playoff hockey. But the game went in the Stars’ favor, as Wyatt Johnston scored a top-shelf wrist shot goal to help the Stars to a 3-2 win over the Golden Knights in overtime. Dallas outshot Vegas 46-34 after a little over 76 minutes.
Notes
Three Stars of the Game
1. Logan Thompson (2.36 GAA and .935 SV%)
2. Wyatt Johnston (2 points: 2 goals)
3. Jason Robertson (2 points: 2 assists)
Friday Afternoon Update
The Dallas Stars announced on Friday that they recalled forward Mavrik Bourque from the Texas Stars.
Bourque had four points in Texas’ 6-3 win over the Manitoba Moose in Game 1 of the Central Division First Round on April 23. He has eight points in 10 AHL postseason contests.
The Plessisville, Quebec native made his NHL debut with Dallas on April 6 against the Chicago Blackhawks, recording two shots in 10:56 minutes of ice time.
Down on the Farm
The AHL announced on Thursday that Texas Stars forward Logan Stankoven won the Dudley (Red) Garrett Memorial Award as the AHL’s Most Outstanding Rookie.
Stankoven, 21, compiled 57 points in 47 games for Texas during his first professional season, including six power-play goals, 20 power-play points, three game-winning goals, and a +9 rating. He became the third Texas Stars player to win the award, joining Curtis McKenzie (2013-14) and Riley Damiani (2020-21).
The AHL also announced on Thursday that Texas Stars forward Mavrik Bourque won the 2023-24 Les Cunningham Award. The award is presented to the AHL’s Most Valuable Player.
Up Next
The Stars and Golden Knights will meet again in Game 4 on Monday at 8:30 p.m. Central.
ITR 49: For Real This Time – Inside The Rink
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