Dallas Stars Perform Magnificently, Down Canadiens 4-1
The Dallas Stars came into Saturday night’s game with a depressing losing streak and lack of effort weighing them down. Where it went is unsure of at the moment, but the Dallas Stars looked as though it was all behind them, and they beat the Montreal Canadiens 4-1 on Saturday at the American Airlines Center. The Stars have now increased their win total to double digits, and they hold a new record of 10-12-5. The Canadiens have now lost six of their last seven, dropping their record to 17-10-2. The Stars hop back into sixth place in the Central Division, while the Canadiens fall to third in the Atlantic Division.
Game recap
The Dallas Stars began the game with a complete, strategic assault on the Canadiens. They were sending crisp passes back and forth, taking high quality looks at the net, and defending very well. After maintaining the puck for the majority of the first half of the period, Ryan Garbutt, who drew four penalties for the Stars in the game and kept his composure very calm, drew one to put the Stars on the man advantage, something all Stars fans fear. But, just six seconds into the power play, Cody Eakin batted in his sixth of the year off of an assist from Tyler Seguin, and the Stars took the 1-0 lead with 8:37 left in the first. The Montreal Canadiens, weary off of a back-to-back scenario they were facing, did not take their first shot on Kari Lehtonen until 14:35 into the game. At the end of the first, the Stars held the 11-5 shot advantage.
The second started, and the Dallas Stars showed no signs of letting their foot off of the gas. With 17:41 left in the second, Tyler Seguin drew a cheap penalty from Tomas Plekanec and the Stars took a 5-on-3 advantage. Just 50 seconds later, Tyler Seguin notched his 20th goal of the season after a beautiful keep in the zone by Trevor Daley and a crisp saucer pass from Jamie Benn. The Stars continued to skate well throughout the period, and showed no signs of struggling. Then, with 8 seconds remaining in the period, Jamie Benn sent his 17th assist to Tyler Seguin who rifled one off of Carey Price and in, sealing his league lead in goals at 21, as well as surpassing Sidney Crosby as the leader in total points accumulated. He had three on the night and entered hat trick watch as the second period drew to a close, the Stars leading the shot advantage, 23-11.
The third period, where all Stars fans start to chew their fingernails, started with a bit of a hiccup. The Stars got caught in their own zone and out of position, leading to Sven Andrighetto’s first career NHL goal on a backhand past Lehtonen’s glove. But after this, the Stars officially closed the door, and with 1:04 left in the game, Ryan Garbutt sunk the empty-netter and the Stars walked away with the 4-1 win. The Stars ended up outshooting the Canadiens, 29-17, and finished off the game with a commanding win.
Thoughts and Observations
Sadly, I did not attend tonight’s game in the press box, so no commentary available yet. But first off, Ryan Garbutt looked like a completely different person. After drawing four separate penalties and only taking one for embellishment, he neither dropped his gloves nor even made the slightest advance at another player. At one point, after Garbutt drew a penalty on Brandon Prust, Prust responded by trying to fight, but Garbutt simply skated back to the bench and got ready for the upcoming power play. After a suspension in late November, and a dirty play in Detroit that caused Lindy Ruff to bench him for the rest of the game, he seems to have changed his play for the time being and become much more self-aware of his actions and emotions.
Secondly, Tyler Seguin continues to be amazing at what he does. After two goals and an assist tonight, the 22-year old has secured the lead for both the Rocket Richard Trophy for most goals and the Hart Trophy for most points, he continues to be the blessing in disguise for this Dallas Stars team. The Stars need to learn how to spread their scoring out a little more, but for now, this will do just fine.
The Stars played what many might say their best and most well-rounded game of the year tonight. From offense to defense to goaltending, they never batted an eye and always stayed on top of their game.
The Stars are off until Tuesday when they take on the Winnipeg Jets for the first time this year. Make sure to check back to Blackout Dallas for previews and updates regarding the matchup!
Leave your comments and questions below, and as always, thanks for reading! Go Stars.