The Dallas Stars look to regroup and make adjustments as they face the Florida Panthers in the second game of their back-to-back NHL Global Series in Tampere. Emphasis has been placed on starting strong and avoiding the early setbacks that contributed to their loss in Game 1.
However, Dallas will be without Tyler Seguin, who was impactful in the series opener but is sidelined with a lower-body injury. His absence adds pressure on the rest of the roster to step up as they seek to even the series against the reigning Stanley Cup champions.
First Period
Both teams came out with high energy as the second game of the NHL Global Series began, showcasing physical play and intensity. Florida established solid puck movement early, but Dallas responded well, breaking out of their zone effectively and mounting offensive pressure.
A marked improvement from the previous game was Dallas’s defensive work in clogging shooting lanes and disrupting Florida’s puck control. Midway through the period, Aaron Ekblad’s slashing penalty gave the Stars a power play, during which they immediately tested Sergei Bobrovsky with shots. Though deflections out of play interrupted their cycle, Dallas maintained offensive pressure. The best chance came when Jason Robertson set up Logan Stankoven for a near goal, but his shot clanged off the post.
As the penalty expired, Dallas sustained their momentum. Jamie Benn added to their physical edge with forceful checks, and the Stars’ defensive corps limited Florida’s counterattacks. However, a face-off in the Stars’ zone led to an opportunity for Evan Rodrigues, who found the net’s corner to put Florida ahead.
Late in the period, a hit from behind by Mason Marchment sparked a scrum behind Florida’s net, resulting in penalties on both sides and a power play for the Panthers. Despite the man disadvantage, Dallas held firm, keeping Florida from extending their lead. Though the Stars controlled much of the period’s play, they trailed 1-0 at the first intermission.
Score: Stars 0 – Panthers 1
Shots on Goal: Stars 9 – Panthers 7
Second Period
The second period began with a quick opportunity for the Stars, who went on the power play following a Panthers penalty. Right off the face-off, the Stars were quick to get the puck to the net. Dallas launched a shot that deflected off the post, leading to a chaotic scramble in front of Florida’s net. Despite the pressure, the puck stayed out, preserving the Panthers’ lead.
The game’s intensity remained high, highlighted by a key save from Casey DeSmith that kept Dallas within striking distance. However, when Florida pushed back offensively, Esa Lindell was whistled for hooking. The Panthers capitalized on the ensuing power play, with Matthew Tkachuk extending their lead to 2-0.
Not long after, Dallas’s tenacity earned them another power play, and Evgenii Dadonov took advantage. He slipped the puck through Spencer Knight’s five-hole, knotting the game at 2-1.
Determined to comeback, Dallas ramped up their forechecking, forcing Florida into defensive scrambles and creating more offensive chances. This relentless pressure paid off when Matt Duchene capitalized on a rebound from a face-off, burying it to tie the game and inject energy into the Stars’ play.
The Stars’ resilience set up an exciting final frame.
Score: Stars 2 – Panthers 2
Shots on Goal: Stars 9 – Panthers 6
Third Period
Early in the third period, A.J. Greer regained the lead for the Panthers with a sharp shot right off the face-off. The Stars pushed back in search of an equalizer, but momentum shifted as Mason Marchment was called for hooking, giving Florida a power play opportunity.
The Panthers quickly set up in the offensive zone, but Casey DeSmith came up big with several crucial saves to keep Dallas within reach. Florida’s sustained pressure leveled the shot count, underscoring their offensive drive. Both teams engaged in fast-paced, end-to-end play, trading chances but finding it hard to break through tight defensive coverage.
Dallas’s best response came when Jason Robertson redirected a shot off the post, followed by Wyatt Johnston testing Spencer Knight with a close-range attempt that was turned aside. As the period wore on, quality scoring opportunities dwindled, with both sides successfully limiting shots on net.
In the final push, DeSmith was pulled for an extra attacker with two minutes left, giving Dallas a 6-on-5 advantage. However, Sam Reinhart sealed the game for Florida with an empty-net goal. Despite their determined effort and flashes of strong play dating back to the previous game, the Stars ended the series without points.
Final Score of the Game: Stars 2 – Panthers 4
Final Shots on Goal: Stars 25 – Panthers 24
Three Stars of the Game ⭐️A.J. Greer ⭐️⭐️Evan Rodrigues ⭐️⭐️⭐️Matt Duchene