The Stars get back in the win column in a big way.
Coming into tonight’s contest, much was made about the Dallas Stars’ losing streak in Boston. And, as so accurately pointed out by Brad McDonnell here, the power play was a big reason for it.
Coming into the game tonight, the Stars had two power-play goals on the season. Two. That’s it. Tonight, they had three. In one period. But we’ll get to that.
First Period
From the opening faceoff, this game had the makings of something crazy happening. Early on, neither team could handle the puck or make clean passes. Both of these meant scoring chances galore.
Not even a minute and a half into the game and Dallas rang one off the post. Thomas Harley found himself open in the slot with the puck. His wrist shot beat Jeremy Swayman but clanged off the post and ricocheted out.
A few minutes later, it was the Bruins’ turn. A bad turnover by Matt Dumba allowed a chance in front of the Stars’ net. Luckily, Casey DeSmith was on his game tonight. This went on for most of the first period. Logan Stankoven had a phenomenal chance five minutes into the game, but Swayman kicked the puck aside. He also smothered Roope Hintz’s rebound effort.
At the 12:49 mark of the first period, we saw the first of what would be a plethora of penalties in the first two periods. There were four penalties called in the first period – three on the Stars and one on Boston. Nothing would transpire from them, however.
The first score did happen while both teams had a player in the penalty box. Skating four on four, Dumba turned the puck over from behind his net. The puck went right to Matthew Poitras. He set up David Pastrňák for a shot that found its way to the back of the net.
Dallas tried to answer with several short-handed opportunities but couldn’t get the equalizer. Wyatt Johnston and Hintz were both denied on scoring chances. Finally, with 3:30 left in the period, the Stars found themselves on the board. Matt Duchene took a pass from Thomas Harley, weaved through the defense and tied the score.
Score: Stars 1 – Bruins 1
Shots on Goal: Stars 13 – Bruins 11
Second Period
In the second period, all I could hear was Oprah screaming, “You get a power play goal. You get a power play goal. Everyone gets a power play goal.”
It started 11 seconds into the period. Hintz drew a penalty on a breakaway. Twenty seconds later, the Stars had the lead. Jason Robertson took a pass from Jamie Benn and fired it past Swayman for the goal.
Less than four minutes later, the Bruins found themselves in the box for interference. With Parker Wotherspoon watching from the box, Logan Stankoven made him pay. This time the goal was setup by Duchene.
Dallas wasn’t done, though. Exactly four minutes after the Wotherspoon penalty, Pastrňák had to take a seat for tripping. It was his second penalty of the game. The Stars already made him pay on their first power-play goal. They made him pay this time, too. Tyler Seguin took a Mason Marchment pass and blasted it top shelf to put the Stars up 4–1.
At this point, Dallas has scored three goals in the second period on seven shots. The final goal of the period came from the Boston side. Sam Steel received a hooking minor and watched as Justin Brazeau scored a power play goal for the Bruins. In the second period, there were four power plays and four power play goals.
Score: Stars 4 – Bruins 2
Shots on Goal Stars 25 – Bruins 17
Third Period
The Stars have been a team that prides themselves on clamping down in the third period. It was discussed all postseason long the last two seasons. They enjoy getting a lead and then playing lockdown defense in the third period. This makes for some boring hockey if you like lots of scoring chances. But it makes for some great hockey if you like defense.
Tonight was no different. Dallas resorted to playing defense and allowing DeSmith to make saves. And make saves he did. The Bruins couldn’t get anything past him in the third period despite 10 shots on net. Dallas’ defense did a good job of cleaning up the rebounds and not allowing second and third chance scoring opportunities.
Finally, with the goalie pulled, Hintz iced the game for Dallas with an empty netter.
Final Score of the Game: Stars 5 – Bruins 2
Final Shots on Goal: Stars 32 – Bruins 27
Three Stars of the Game ⭐️Matt Duchene ⭐️⭐️Tyler Seguin ⭐️⭐️⭐️David Pasternak