Stars Third Period Rally Keeps Road Point Streak Alive, Lose 5-4 in OT

by Brandon Bibb on Oct 23, 2009 12:42 AM CDT in Dallas Stars Game Recaps

Strange things always seem to happen when the Stars play the Kings at the Staples Center. And tonight was no different as the Kings raced out to a 4-1 lead behind Anze Kopitar's hat trick and a litany of poor defensive play in front of Alex Auld, who wasn't able to bail his mates out, after 40 minutes.

But then Jamie Benn released a laser of a shot over Jonathan Quick's shoulder, Mark Fistric scored his first NHL goal on a screen shot from the blue line, and James Neal ripped a shot that beat Quick to the stickside and went in off the post, hit twine, and came out. A goal that Kevin Pollack is reportedly still waving off according to Art on Twitter.

But the NHL has replay in place for situations like this. And fortunately, Gordon Riese wasn't anywhere to be found to allow this horrible call to stand.

4-4, headed to OT...and Michael Handzus scores on the Kings' first shot of the extra period to guarantee LA the two points we all thought they had in the bag.

Dallas got the consolation point for losing in OT. And considering how bad the team played through 40 minutes, that's a very good point.

OTOH, the fact that the defensive lapses are continuing is very concerning from the 30,000 foot view. This team desperately needs a true #1 defenseman. But with the internal cap that's been placed on the club combined with the stark reality that any such deal would require the Stars to part with a Loui Eriksson, James Neal, or Jamie Benn at least to get a deal done.

And dare I suggest that just won't happen considering the number of times we as fans have complained about not having any young talented players in the pipeline.

At least not yet.

More to come tomorrow morning. [Note by Brandon Worley] We'll have more on last night's game later today in Stargazing.

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I knew if I went to bed

Something crazy would happen.

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by Brandon Worley on Oct 23, 2009 7:51 AM CDT via mobile reply actions

Crazy it were

But it was still pretty disgusting.

by Brad Gardner on Oct 23, 2009 9:10 AM CDT reply actions

The main difference this year...

is that I feel like the Stars are never out of it. Used to be if the Stars were down by 2 with a period to go, it would take a miracle for them to come back. Now if they’re down by 2, all it takes is Benn and Neal.

by Tsudbury on Oct 23, 2009 9:22 AM CDT reply actions

I'll be honest...

I haven’t had that feeling this year. Last night was the first time they’ve had a comeback like that and I was thinking that the way they were playing, it just wasn’t going to end well.

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by Brandon Worley on Oct 23, 2009 9:40 AM CDT up reply actions

they definitely didn't start well...

It seemed like they really kicked it up a notch after going down 4-1 though. It was probably a combination of being ticked off at the refs for making freaking awful calls, ticked off at themselves for some weak D, and the Kings slacking off since they were up by 3. Throw in a touch of Staples Center magic, and we saw the result.

I agree with you that this was the first time this season they’ve had a comeback. What it really comes down to is whether or not they decide to show up and play during the game. Look at the difference between this game and Boston. I think when they kick it into gear and actually move their feet (and actually win draws!), they can score like nobody’s business.

by Tsudbury on Oct 23, 2009 10:19 AM CDT up reply actions

I wish I'd stayed up...

I don’t know if I’m glad they had such a great comeback, or if I’m angry that they let themselves get down by three goals. I guess I just have mixed feelings about last night’s game.

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by Brad_Richards_Rocks on Oct 23, 2009 10:01 AM CDT reply actions

defensemen

I just cant believe that with the departure of Zubov they dont have the money for another decent D-Man. Trade a pick and Brunnstrom for someone, anyone….We need more veteran Defense. The only young d-man to be getting it done is Grossman. Niskanen’s play this year has been terrible. It would be nice to be able to get a good sizable d-man. Thank god for Benn and the Real Deal…or we never would have got the momentum to get a point out of that game.

by k9mike on Oct 23, 2009 3:03 PM CDT reply actions