It was Halloween night at American Airlines Center, and the Stars certainly spooked the Capitals.
Dallas logged its first shutout of the season with a strong showing of defense and goaltending that left Washington without an answer. While it may not have been the most exciting game, it marks an important Stars win that came from doing the little things right.
“I think that was the most solid game from us this year,” defenseman Esa Lindell said. “Tight game on five on five and then special teams running for us today.”
A slow first period left both teams scoreless, even though both teams got power play chances. The Capitals went first, after forward Sam Steel got called for tripping. Dallas killed the penalty efficiently and only allowed two Washington shots on goal.
Dallas went on the power play a few minutes later when Caps forward Tom Wilson got an interference penalty called on him. But the Stars did not do much with their two-minute advantage and the scoreboard stayed blank.
Dallas racked up another power play, and forward Wyatt Johnston was so eager to make something happen that his stick broke during the first face off. A few close chances later, the Stars still could not put the puck in the net.
This changed at the beginning of the second period. Washington’s Wilson, much to his visible displeasure, got another penalty for hooking Radek Faksa. The Stars took advantage when forward Tyler Seguin’s shot bounced off Capital Martin Fehevary and into the goal.
The two teams went back and forth for the rest of the second, and the Stars spent a lot of time defending their own zone against a relentless Washington squad that seemed a little off on every shot attempt. The closest attempt the Caps managed was foiled by Steel, who dove in front of a Washington puck, delighting the crowd.
Dallas’ chances came in the form of a few breakaways, but the period ended 1-0.
The Capitals got hungrier in the third, allowing the Stars to show off their defense.
Washington killed an early Dallas power play in the third, and got more desperate for a point on the board. The Capitals pelted Jake Oettinger with pucks, but the goalie made save after save and kept Dallas ahead, with the help of the defense.
“It just reinforces what we’re doing here,” head coach Glen Gulutzan said. “Especially when you can beat a top team like this and hold a lead.”
The win was not the only thing the Stars celebrated tonight. Defenseman Thomas Harley officially signed an 8-year extension for $10.587 million a year, solidifying a strong core of players in Dallas for the long haul.
When asked how he planned on celebrating, the 24-year-old shrugged, grinned and said, “…Pay for some dinners on the road at some point. But for now, it’s just kind of ending the night, go home, eat a DiGiorno pizza and go to sleep. Nothing crazy.”
Thomas Harley — a man of the people.
Dallas will head to Tampa Bay on Thursday to take on the Lightning at 6 p.m. CT, looking to extend the three-game win streak.