Dallas Stars: Some Final Thoughts On A 5-3 Loss To Chicago

Dallas Stars led a promising beginning Saturday against the Chicago Blackhawks, but prove that not every dream lasts forever.

As much as nobody would’ve liked to admit it, entering the third period with depleting energy levels and no healthy lead is generally bad news for the Stars. The Stars found a moment of serendipity, snagging the lead halfway through the last period.

That moment quickly ended 35 seconds later, and the rest is history.

34

3-34

0/3

45%

3

2

CHI

36

5-36

1/2

55%

5

3

The Stars (21-22-10) came into Saturday in full desperation mode, ready to defend their home ice against the Blackhawks (32-17-5) and prevent the start of a losing streak. Saturday marked the last of a six-game homestand for the Stars, whose loss ended the stretch in 2-2-2.

Efforts from both teams during the first period were highly impressive. A competitive drive from the Stars matched the skill levels of the Hawks, which resulted in just about every kind of play imaginable.

Well, except for a goal.

 Jason Spezza’s absence called for a little shuffling within the lines. Curtis McKenzie joined the fourth offensive line alongside Adam Cracknell and Lauri Korpikoski, shifting up Brett Ritchie to fill the empty slot in the third line. Saturday’s scratches included Julius Honka and Jiri Hudler.

Here’s a little breakdown, period by period:

Period 1: A Promising First 20

The Stars were 0-2-1 going into Saturday, the fourth game of their series against Chicago, and carried with them a fresh loss to Winnipeg from Thursday. Dallas had intentions play a smart game on Saturday, despite statistics that stacked against them. It was clear that they would need to step up their game to match the Hawks’ level of compete. 

For most of the first period, Dallas managed to get the puck into the Hawks’ zone and apply enough pressure to create an opportunity to shoot, but were without the right amount of luck to follow through with the play.

Luck, however, was on their side in their defensive zone. Kari Lehtonen made multiple notable saves, but the most impressive save was by Dan Hamhuis, who dove in front of a shot from Jonathan Toews.

Neither team was able to score a goal, but the action-packed period was enough to fill eager fans with excitement going into the first intermission.

Dallas Stars

Period 2: Hope With a Large Side of Exhaustion

Eight seconds in, Radek Faksa added a point to the board for the Stars. Dallas continued to defend their 1-0 lead with the momentum from the earlier period, but began to show signs of exhaustion.

Five minutes later, the Stars’ committed their notorious defensive error: focusing on one point and ignoring the rest of the ice.

Ryan Hartman found the weakness and snuck around to find an opening, tying the game up. Moments lafter, the Hawks took the lead after Patrick Sharp’s stick deflected in a shot Gustav Forsling.

The latter half of the period, Chicago began to challenge the tiring Stars’. The pace became competitive, requiring the Stars’ to start digging into their well before the third period, which we know is bad news.

Chicago held their one-goal lead going into the last period.

Period 3: A Painful and Predictable Ending

This was the 20th game of the season that the Stars’ trailed going into the third period.

Dallas was 0-17-2 for each of those games.

Chicago was 17-2-1 when maintaining a lead heading into the third.   

Odds did not favor a comeback from the Stars. However, a game-tying goal from Jamie Benn raised a question:

Could the Stars actually come back?

Nine minutes later, the nail-biting began. Tyler Seguin found a perfect opportunity to fire a shot in, which made its way beneath the pads of Hawk’s goalie Corey Crawford. This gave Dallas a 3-2 lead.

The nervous excitement ended just 35 seconds later. Patrick Kane leveled the score on a breakaway. Trevor van Riemsdyk gave Chicago the lead, and a last second empty net goal from Toews sealed the deal.

Overall, it was a frustrating end to a very promising beginning.

The Stars’ prove their talent as a team, but again and again blow their game in the third period.

"“The tide will turn at some point and the games we should win, we will win,”  Stars’ goalie Kari Lehtonen said. “That’s just something we have to keep pushing each other to play at the highest level we can.”"

Dallas will play six of their next seven games on the road beginning Tuesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Coach Lindy Ruff said the Stars’ need to improve their game on this upcoming stretch.

"“Well, we have to play better defensively. There’s a lot of good stuff inside the game that we’ve done, but again, defensively, we have to play better.”"

Dallas had a previous matchup against the Maple Leafs, winning 6-3. This will be the last of two meeting between the Stars and Maple Leafs this season.