The Predators were able to win on Pekka Rinne’s jersey retirement night by beating the Dallas Stars in a shootout 2-1. However, based on the Stars gaining a point making it to OT, the Stars were able to tie Edmonton for the second wildcard spot.
Like I said in the postgame article last night, The Dallas Stars had travel issues that forced them to travel earlier this afternoon for the game. The whole game day preparation probably threw them off their game tonight.
Dallas Stars vs Nashville Predators: 1st period recap
We aren’t even a couple of minutes into the game and both teams are being aggressive. Radek Faksa and Tanner Jeannot dropped the gloves less than a minute into the 1st period. The Stars are also attacking Saros out of the gate as well.
John Klingberg would send the Stars on the penalty kill 7 minutes into the game for tripping Matt Duchene. The Stars would kill the power play with ease as Nashville would be 0-1 on the extra man advantage.
Phillip Tomasino would open the scoring in the game 12 minutes into the game to make it 1-0 Predators. Stars would go on their first power play after Alexandre Carrier would get two for slashing.
Stars have definitely had opportunities to score in the first, but Saros is just playing better right now in the 1st period. The Predators would lead in shots on goal 9-8 at the end of the first period. Stars actually got their offense going earlier than last night’s game against the Jets. Just got to keep up that aggressiveness in the 2nd period.
Dallas Stars vs Nashville Predators: 2nd period recap
Jason Robertson and the Dallas Stars tied it within the opening minutes of the second period. Jamie Benn almost got the lead a couple of minutes later, but Saros beat him with the pads.
Don't know about you, but 21 is feelin' 22.
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) February 25, 2022
📺: @BallySportsSW | #TexasHockey pic.twitter.com/KNmFwDF2G7
Apparently, both teams would be terrible on the extra man advantage. The Stars would be 4/4 on the penalty kill after the Stars killed 2 straight Nashville power plays. Nashville would go on their 5th power play late in the 2nd period. Stars and Predators would go into the 2nd intermission tied at 1. Dallas would lead in shots on goal 17-14, if the Stars keep up the intensity in the 3rd, they will come away with 2 points and the win.
Dallas Stars vs Nashville Predators: 3rd period/OT recap
The Predators came out with aggression to put the game away to start the 3rd period. The Stars would go on the power play 8 minutes into the 3rd. The Stars would actually get some good shot attempts off on this particular power play.
The Stars reverted back to the old “Dump and Chase” in the second half of the 3rd period which is concerning. Lindell almost gave the lead to the Stars, but Saros got him with the glove save. Once again, the Stars would be going to overtime against a divisional opponent.
Stars would take their timeout in OT when Nashville decided to trip Klingberg and give the Stars a power play. The Stars would fail to score on their 4-on-3 power play attempt in OT. The Stars would end up losing in the shootout when Mikael Granlund scored on a filthy attempt.
The Star’s next game will luckily be against an Eastern Division opponent as they take on the Buffalo Sabres early Sunday afternoon.