Stars Double Up Senators, Inch Closer In Playoff Hunt
By Marcus Gatto
Jan 29, 2015; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Dallas Stars defenseman John Klingberg (3) skates with the puck in the second period against the Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
The Stars dominated a hockey game again tonight and were fortunately rewarded two points for their effort. The Stars have had a rough last ten games in which they should have collected a few points in dominating performances against the Bruins, Jets, Avalanche, and Canadiens. Tonight was yet another dominating performance which saw a little bit of puck luck go their way. The Stars received six goals from six different skaters and Kari Lehtonen stopped 25 of 28 shots to pick up his 21st win of the season.
The Stars stormed out to a quick 3-0 lead in the first period. Captain Jamie Benn got the scoring started when he scored off a pass from John Klingberg by outwaiting Senators goaltender Robin Lehner in front of the net. The goal came on the powerplay and assists were awarded to Klingberg and Patrick Eaves. 59 seconds after Benn broke the ice, Colton Sceviour would tip in a shot from Vernon Fiddler to make it 2-0. Sceviour got a stick on the Fiddler shot and deflected it downward between Lehner’s legs. Fiddler and Trevor Daley were awarded the assists. Former Senator Ales Hemsky would score not even 5 minutes later when he beat Lehner with a slapshot from the top of the faceoff circle. This was the Stars second powerplay goal of the night while Daley and Sceviour registered the assists. The Senators would strike back almost immediately after Hemsky’s goal. Senator forwards Mika Zibanejad and Bobby Ryan each scored a goal to cut the Stars lead to 3-2 before the end of the first period.
After a five-goal outburst in the first period, the second period did not see any scoring. The best chance to score in the middle frame came when Senators forward Milan Michalek broke in all alone on a shorthanded breakaway. Michalek tried to quickly beat Lehtonen five-hole but the big Fin had the answer. The second period would end the same way the first did, 3-2 Stars.
Shortly into the third period, former Star Alex Chiasson tied the game at three by depositing a Kyle Turris feed in front of the net. Turris drove the puck out wide before centering the puck into the blue paint. Chiasson was available on the weak side and slammed home the equalizer. The Senators started to turn it on after they tied the game 3-3. They would register the next six consecutive shots on net. Then with under 10 minutes remaining in the third period Klingberg would chase after a loose puck and snipe short-side high on Lehner to give the Stars a lead they would not relinquish. Klingberg’s 7th goal of the season came unassisted. The Stars then iced the game with two empty net goals. First it was Daley who scored off a defensive zone faceoff, and then Benn registered his second of the night by flinging a puck into the empty net from deep in the defensive zone corner.
Notes and Observations
Jordie Benn was a healthy scratch on defense tonight. David Schlemko stayed in the lineup after his performance on Tuesday in Montreal and Jamie Oleksiak replaced Benn.
Brett Ritchie (Undisclosed) nor Erik Cole(Upper-Body) were available again tonight for the Stars.
Patrick Eaves continued his strong play since returning from injury. He looked great on the top line with Benn and Tyler Seguin again tonight and even rung one off the post late in the third period.
Eaves also made the save of the night when he shovelled a puck off the goal line behind Lehtonen to keep the game tied 3-3 in the third period.
The Stars now head to Winnipeg to play a massive game against the first wild-card seeded Jets on Saturday. Gametime is 6pmCST from the MTS centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Catch highlights of tonight’s 6-3 victory here.