Stars broke their slump with early scoring and clutch play, weathering a chippy third period to secure a vital home win.
The Dallas Stars were looking to get themselves back in the win column against the Winnipeg Jets, after losing six of their last seven games. Although they cannot blame their performance on injuries alone, during that time they have played without Roope Hintz, Radek Faksa, Nathan Bastian, Michael Bunting, Tyler Meyers and some of that was without Mikko Rantanen as well.
Dallas Stars defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin (46) and defenseman Lian Bichsel (6) and left wing Adam Erne (73) and right wing Arttu Hyry (25) celebrates a goal scored by Erne against the Winnipeg Jets during the second period at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn ImagesBefore the road trip, head coach Glen Gulutzan, had hoped a stingy road game would get them back on track, but after beating the Pittsburgh Penguins, it appeared things had not been fixed. Now returning back home for a five-game home stand, the final one of the year, the Stars really have to dial it in to prepare for the playoffs.
After giving up the first goal in the previous eight games in a row, the Stars finally get on the board first when Matt Duchene cleans up his own rebound, that was created by a slick pass from Rantanen through the crease. Not too long after, Arttu Hyry gets his second NHL goal after a booted pass from Jamie Benn right in front of Connor Hellebyuck. The Stars finally look themselves in the first frame, leading 2-0 going into the second period.
The second period started all Stars again, extending their lead to three on a long shot from Lian Bichsel, deflected in by Adam Erne. The depth scoring that lead the Stars on the 14-0-1 streak they went on seems to finally be out of the scoring drought. The Jets took control at times during the second period, but the Stars gave up very little, except to Kyle Connor, who rang one off the post and had a couple dangerous chances.
The third period had no action until the Jets seemed to either get frustrated or just purely trying to get under the Stars skin. But it started with Neal Pionk hit Jason Robertson pretty low and Colin Blackwell comes over to stand up for Robertson. Pionk did not seem to want to engage Blackwell, but that wouldn't matter as Blackwell, held onto him and pulled him down to the ice. Simultaneously, Jamie Benn and Adam Lowry dropped the gloves at center ice.
The Jets would end up with a power-play after Benn and Lowry got matching five-minute fighting majors. Pionk and Blackwell would get matching two-minute unsportsmanlike conducts and ten-minute misconducts. Blackwell also got an additional two-minute roughing minor that was served by Adam Erne and the Stars killed it off.
The Jets pulled their goalie, but it would be too late. The Stars would blank the Jets and win the series.
The Stars take on the Colorado Avalanche at home on Saturday at 2pm CST.
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