Dallas Stars get lost in Arizona desert as the Coyotes win 3-1
By Brian Sweet
The Dallas Stars got lost in the desert tonight as the Arizona Coyotes would win the game 3-1. This loss snapped the Stars six game winning streak they had on the road. They also failed to pick up 2 points which are critical now since they are still within reach of a playoff spot. Here is what went wrong for the Stars in the Arizona desert.
Dallas Stars vs Arizona Coyotes: 1st period recap
The Coyotes would immediately get some shot attempts on Jake Oettinger in the first few minutes in the period. Miro Heiskanen would get a great attempt on Scott Wedgewood with everyone blocking his view in front of the net.
Stars seem to be a lot of “dumping and chasing” in the first half of the period which is concerning. You would think the Stars would want to take the Coyotes out of the game early by crashing the net.
Tyler Seguin would commit the first penalty of the game for slashing Lawson Crouse. What seems really concerning after that power play is the Coyotes time with the puck in. Oettinger would make another highlight reel save by stopping Tyler Boyd to keep the game scoreless.
Stars and the Coyotes will go into the first intermission scoreless. The Coyotes would lead in shots on goal 11-7. The Stars offense needs to get going in the 2nd period, you cant allow the Coyotes to handle the puck in your zone for the majority of the period.
Dallas Stars vs Arizona Coyotes: 2nd period recap
The Stars come out of intermission and get pressure in Arizona’s zone. Ryan Suter roofed one over Arizona’s net. Both teams are playing really defensively not allowing each other to have a odd man rush or get a good shot on net.
Crouse would get the first goal of the game to make it 1-0 Coyotes. Roope Hintz would have the luck of the Irish as his shot got redirected funny into the net to tie the game up at 1.
Stars would go on their first power play with 6:14 remaining in the 2nd period. They are getting some of their best offensive opportunities on this power play. Denis Gurianov would end the power play by tripping along the boards. Nick Schmaltz would score on the power play ending the Stars streak of killing power plays at 17.
The Stars would trail the Coyotes going into the second intermission 2-1. Stars would trail in shots on goal after the second period 22-17. The Stars are literally sleepwalking through this game on offense. They need to attack the net in the 3rd, hopefully that second goal by Arizona woke them up.
Dallas Stars vs Arizona Coyotes: 3rd period recap
The Stars started off the 3rd period by making Wedgewood earn his paycheck. Unfortunately, Stars couldn’t capitalize on any of the chances with Wedgewood on his stomach. He is putting on a clinic as he stops another couple of shots by Dallas a couple of minutes later.
Midway though the period, Jason Robertson nearly tied it up but he hit the post. Stars are getting their chances in the 3rd but just can’t put any of the pucks past Wedgewood. Jason Robertson would have another good attempt to score late in the game but Wedgewood would snub the puck.
Clayton Keller would score the empty net goal to seal the victory for the Coyotes 3-1. This was an abysmal offensive performance for the Stars from start to finish. You will not win hockey games by only playing in the third period. This loss will snap the Stars winning streak on the road at six games. Stars return to Dallas to take on the Winnipeg Jets Wednesday night.