Dallas Stars Stun Vancouver Canucks, Win in OT 4-3
The Dallas Stars found themselves on the winning side of their Thursday night match-up against the Vancouver Canucks by a score of 4-3 in overtime after yet another comeback. In a game that seemed doomed after the start of the third period, the Stars managed to find a way and earn the full two-points.
Recap
First Period
Dallas came out in the first period with a lot of offensive pressure, which was only increased when they got their first power play of the game a few minutes in. Then at the halfway point Dallas Stars defenseman Alex Goligoski interfered with Vancouver’s Alex Burrows while he had a breakaway to grant the Canucks a penalty shot. Dallas goalie Antti Niemi got part of Burrow’s shot, but not all as he scored to put them up 1-0.
A few minutes later Dallas converted on a seemingly harmless play. Jyrki Jokipakka passed the puck to Patrick Sharp just inside the blue line who shot a wrister that deflected off of the Vancouver player’s stick and past goalie Ryan Miller. The Stars and Canucks went in to the first intermission tied at one with Dallas leading in shots 13-10.
Second Period
The second saw Dallas take their first penalty of the game as Antoine Roussel was called for tripping. On the subsequent Vancouver power play the Canucks scored through traffic to regain their one-goal lead and make it 2-1. The second period consisted of long stretches without whistles, making it go by rather quickly despite being filled with action.
The Stars defended against a few offensive pushes by the Canucks, while having some of their own as well, but Vancouver maintains their one-goal lead through forty minutes.
Third Period
The final twenty minutes started in Vancouver’s favor as Radim Vrbata scored only 10 seconds into the frame to give them a 3-1 lead. Captain Jamie Benn earned Dallas a power play after weaving through Vancouver players in their zone, but the Stars were unable to convert with the man advantage.
Dallas’ Jason Demers cut the lead in half with a little under ten minutes remaining to make it 3-2 Vancouver. The Stars then kept the pressure on after the game got a bit more physical in the last ten minutes. With about five minutes remaining Dallas’ Sharp tipped in his second goal of the night and third in the last two games to tie it 3-3.
The Stars kept the offensive pressure on until the end of regulation as the teams were tied 3-3. Vancouver led in shots 32-27.
Overtime
Dallas played in their first 3-on-3 overtime of the season and it seemed to go rather well. With the momentum from the third period comeback on their side captain Jamie Benn once again danced through the Canucks’ defense and scored to end the game, giving Dallas the 4-3 win and the two points.
Thoughts and Observations
Defense First
The Stars are an offensive minded team, but that doesn’t mean they should entirely avoid defending. Tonight there were a multitude of times that Dallas gave up odd man rushes, which increased the workload for net minder Niemi as well as the defense.
While the Canucks didn’t convert on many of their rushes, the Stars need to be aware that getting back to their zone is just as important as scoring.
Shoot the Puck
If Sharp’s three goals in the last two games has proven anything it’s the necessity that is shooting the puck. Dallas is an infinitely better team when they take shots at the net and avoid passing too much.
This issue was resolved later on in the game as Dallas came back and scored two goals to tie it up followed by a sudden death winner in OT, but they could’ve had a few more pucks in the net had they shot it more.
Down, but Never Out
There’s no way to put it other than that the Dallas Stars are almost unbelievable. They find ways to win, something that great teams do. By that standard the Stars are a great team.
With their record now improved to (8-2-0) for 16 points on the season Dallas is a team to beat in the league. That’s something opposing teams should fear, while Stars fans rejoice.
Thanks for reading! Be sure to check back for the preview and post game analysis on Saturday as the Stars take on the San Jose Sharks in a Halloween day game.