The Dallas Stars held on for a 5-3 victory over the Colorado Avalanche Thursday night.
The Dallas Stars held on for a 5-3 victory over the Colorado Avalanche Thursday night.
After flying out to another big lead, the Stars hung on for dear life as the Colorado Avalanche mounted a third period comeback, but Dallas potted an empty net goal to win 5-3 and tie the series.
Tyler Seguin scored what would become the game winning goal in the late stages of the second period, a shorthanded tally that put the Stars up 4-0 going into the second intermission. Everything seemed like it was under control, but the Avalanche once again showed that no lead was enough to fully relax.
After a goal from former Dallas Stars forward Joel Kiviranta, Colorado suddenly went from a team that was down and out to a group that believed that they were just a few shots away from tying the game. And sure enough, Brandon Duhaime added a second goal shortly after, and suddenly a comfortable four goal lead was cut in half, and the flashbacks to Game 1 started.
Dallas was up 3-0 after the first period, and the Avalanche didn't even need the whole game to come back. Two goals in the second and one at the beginning of the third tied it up, and Miles Wood eventually won it on a breakaway in overtime.
That loss left a really sour taste in the mouth of fans and players alike, and suddenly the reality of having a repeat of Game 1 was too close for comfort.
Colorado, down 4-2, pulled their goalie with just under four minutes left in the third period, and Arturri Lehkonen shot one that deflected off Val Nichushkin in front of the net to cut it to 4-3 and choke the breath out of every fan in the American Airlines Center. Nichushkin leads the NHL in playoff goals so far this postseason, and has a goal in all seven games played. Nichushkin left Colorado's first round playoff series last season against the Kraken after an incident in a Seattle hotel room, but is making his presence felt this playoffs.
With the lead dwindled down to one, the Stars took a high sticking penalty, and Wyatt Johnston, one of their best penalty killers, went to the box. The Avs pushed and pushed, knowing that their lethal power play could tie the game and potentially have them come back down four goals in the third period, but a clutch penalty kill from Dallas held up and kept it a one goal game.
After the kill was over, Esa Lindell fired a puck from the corner across the entire length of the ice, and somehow the puck bounced right on line to the net, and the Stars were able to seal the victory with the empty net. Along with Miro Heiskanen scoring two goals and Roope Hintz adding one, it was a Finn-heavy scoring night for Dallas.
Game 2 also signified the return of Mason Marchment, who had several good scoring opportunities and drew a penalty (while also taking an embellishment penalty at the same time). Head coach Pete DeBoer chuckled when he said in his postgame press conference that there is always something going on when Marchment is on the ice. The Stars needed his chaotic presence to mix things up with a Colorado team that has a feisty middle six group of forwards. Radek Faksa came out the lineup to make room for Marchment.
Now, the series shifts to Game 3 in Colorado on Saturday, and the win guarantees a fifth game back in Dallas next Wednesday at 7 p.m. CDT.
Make sure you bookmark THN's Dallas Stars site for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.
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