Wild Dominate Third, Beat Stars 6-2 – Postgame

Third periods continue to be a problem for the Dallas Stars.  They took a 1-0 lead into the third but the Wild scored six times en route to a 6-2 victory.  The loss really hurts the Stars chances at a playoff spot as it came to a team that they are fighting with for that spot.  A loss like this may force the Dallas Stars to sell at the trade deadline.  The full-game recap is below.

Recap

The Dallas Stars and Jamie Benn attempted to set the tone early in the game with a big hit, but it was Minnesota controlling most of the play.  Thomas Vanek had several quality scoring chances in the first five minutes in the game, including a couple of chances on the powerplay that Jhonas Enroth stopped.  The best chance for the Stars in the period came about halfway through when Jason Spezza sent a wrist shot towards Devan Dubynk.  Dubynk was able to pick it up through a screen and make the save to keep the game scoreless.  The Stars had some significant zone time a little over halfway through but were unable to steer any quality chances towards Dubynk.  Following some extended time in the Minnesota zone, the Wild were able to come up with a 2-1 but Jhonas Enroth was there to bail out the Stars.  The period ended in a scoreless tie.

Dallas has been good in second periods this season and while this one was a little more tame than last night, they were once again the better team in the middle frame.  They were awarded three separate powerplay chances and the first two didn’t go so well.  Erik Haula for the Wild had the best chance on the first two Star powerplays.  However, they were finally able to cash in on the third chance.  Jason Spezza sent a rocket past the glove of Dubynk to put the Stars up 1-0 with about five minutes left in the period.  That goal would stand up in the frame and the Stars took a 1-0 lead into the locker room.

The third period is where everything unraveled for the Stars.  Just over a minute in, Zach Parise tied the game as he was left all alone in front of the net.  Two minutes later, Mikko Koivu shot a bad-angled shot that found its way past Enroth to give the Wild their first lead of the game.  A few more minutes pass and the Wild were at it again.  Stephane Veilleux scored his first goal of the season to make it 3-1 Minnesota.  Enroth was able to make several stops on Wild breakaways this period otherwise it would have been even uglier.  A few minutes after the Veilleux goal, Matt Dumba added a powerplay goal to make it 4-1.  Not to be outdone, Mikael Granlund scored on a breakaway not even a minute later.  It is not even a game this point, as the gassed Stars are just trying to get it over with.  Parise added his second goal of the night with two minutes to play.  Jason Spezza finally answered for the Stars with a late goal but it wasn’t celebrated.  The Wild won the game 6-2.

Thoughts and Observations

Other than the Koivu goal, Enroth wasn’t absolutely horrendous in this game.  The defense fell apart after the Wild tied the game in the third and clearly the third period struggles are mentally getting to the Stars.

The Stars are starting to fade away and this loss may set off some trades in the near future.  Both Erik Cole and Shawn Horcoff are on expiring contracts and would provide value to a playoff contender.  If the Stars aren’t able to string some wins together this week, look for them to be traded.

The third period struggles are awful and I certainly am not trying to make excuses for the Stars play in their own zone, but let’s not forget how young this team is.  The future is still very bright in Dallas, despite how this season feels.  Stick around.

The Stars take on the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday in which could be a make-or-break game for Dallas.