Stars Dumped By Hurricanes 6-4

Nov 18, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Carolina Hurricanes right wing Patrick Dwyer (39) and center Zach Boychuk (22) and center Jay McClement (18) celebrates Dwers goal against Dallas Stars goalie Kari Lehtonen (32) during the second period at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The Dallas Stars experienced a lot of the same play that has plagued them all season long on Tuesday night as they dropped a 6-4 decision to the Carolina Hurricanes. The Stars got goals from Tyler Seguin (2), Jamie Benn, and Cody Eakin. Kari Lehtonen was pulled in the second period after allowing 4 goals on 17 shots. The Hurricanes received an outpouring of offense from captain Eric Staal who had 2 goals, as well as Patrick Dwyer, Jeff Skinner, Victor Rask, and Jiri Tlusty who all found the back of the net once. The Stars fall to 1-5-4 on home ice this season. They will return to play on Thursday night when they take on the Arizona Coyotes at home. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30PM CST.

Game Recap

The first period started off exactly the way the Dallas Stars wanted it to. Captain Jamie Benn was able to break an 11-game goalless drought when he tucked home a goal from the mouth of the crease on the Stars’ first shot of the game. Vern Fiddler made a nifty pass to Benn from behind the net as the captain potted his 6^th goal of the season. Defenceman Jamie Oleksiak was also given an assist on the play. The goal was scored only 1:48 into the game. The Stars would extend their lead as Tyler Seguin tipped in a point shot from rookie defenceman John Klingberg. Klingberg did a real nice job finding a shot lane and Seguin promptly tipped the puck past Hurricanes goaltender Cam Ward. This was Seguin’s league leading 13^th goal of the season and it came with just under 5 minutes remaining in the first period. The Hurricanes would test Stars goaltender Kari Lehtonen with only 5 shots in the period.

As the second period began the Stars saw their two goal lead evapourate rather quickly. The Hurricanes struck with four straight goals in the middle frame to take a 4-2 lead. Jeff Skinner, Patrick Dwyer, Victor Rask and Jiri Tlusty all scored goals for the Canes in the period. Lehtonen was pulled from the Stars’ net after Tlusty tipped a puck off his skate, off the post, and in. Anders Lindback would come in to relieve Lehtonen. The Stars would squander their first attempt on the powerplay late in the period. The fans showered the players with well- warranted boos as they left the ice after the second period.

The third period started eerily similar to how the second ended. Hurricanes captain Eric Staal would score the Hurricanes 5^th goal of the night only nine seconds into the period. Cody Eakin would get one back for the Stars when he drove hard to net while shorthanded. Benn brought the puck into the zone and attempted a toe-drag around a Hurricanes defender. Alex Goligoski then picked up the loose puck and threw the puck towards the front of the net. The puck ricocheted off Eakin’s chest and into the net. It was Eakin’s 3^rd goal of the season while Benn and Goligoski picked up the assists. Eakin would play a big part in the Stars 4^th goal of the game as well. Eakin brought the puck into the zone, slid it to Klingberg for a shot from the point that was tipped by Seguin. It was Seguin’s second goal of the night. Soon after Seguin’s second goal of the game, Hurricanes captain Eric Staal would respond with his second of the game as well. Riley Nash and Staal stole the puck at their own defensive blueline and proceeded to break into the Stars zone on a 2 on 1. Nash slid the puck to Staal who then slid the puck between Lindback’s pads for the Hurricanes 6^th goal of the night. The Stars would have numerous chances to get within one goal late in the game but Hurricanes goaltender Cam Ward would shut the door on any comeback hopes.

Observations

-Young defenceman John Klingberg was one of the only bright spots for the Stars tonight. The kid had two primary assists on Seguin’s goals.

-Seguin’s 13th and 14^th goals of the season now give him the league lead in goal scoring.

-Kari Lehtonen and Anders Lindback both looked shaky in goal tonight. The Stars duo gave up 6 goals on 25 shots tonight.

-The Stars home record now falls to an abysmal 1-5-4.