Otter and Robo help the Dallas Stars beat the Philadelphia Flyers 4-1

Apr 6, 2023; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger (29) and defenseman Jani Hakanpaa (2) celebrate after the Stars victory over the Philadelphia Flyers at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 6, 2023; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger (29) and defenseman Jani Hakanpaa (2) celebrate after the Stars victory over the Philadelphia Flyers at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

With the Dallas Stars basically in a three-way tie for first in the Central Division, they needed to take care of business last night against the Philadelphia Flyers. They did that behind Jason Robertson’s two goals and some stellar goaltending from Jake Oettinger. They came out on top with a 4-1 victory against the Flyers.

With the Minnesota Wild losing against the Penguins it gave the Stars some breathing room. With the Avalanche beating the San Jose Sharks, it looks like a two-team race at this point between the Stars and the Avalanche for the Central Division crown. Let’s take a look at how the Stars did against the Flyers.

Dallas Stars vs Philadelphia Flyers Recap: 3. They took care of business

To be honest I had my doubts about the Stars competing in this game and I’ll tell you why. When a team clinches a playoff spot, sometimes that team will become uninterested in playing hard against teams eliminated from the playoffs. It didn’t look like it in the first period but after Robo’s goal at the end of the first period, the Stars turned on the gas in the second period. They went out there and took care of business last night and I couldn’t be more proud of them.

Dallas Stars vs Philadelphia Flyers Recap: 2. Robo is severely underpaid

Jason Robertson got severely underpaid this offseason and it sucks big time. I know the front office wasn’t expecting the year he is having now but he’s going to be a fortune when his contract is up. His buzzer-beater goal to end the first period was a freak of nature. I was at the Frisco Roughriders game last night and watching his highlight made me shake my head. If he has a couple more seasons like that, it’s going to cost a pretty penny to keep him in Dallas.

Dallas Stars vs Philadelphia Flyers Recap: 1. Thomas Harley is ready for the big leagues

Thomas Harley looks like he is ready to graduate to the big leagues after another stellar performance. So far in two games he has a +4 and has shut down his assignments on the ice. Hopefully, this makes it an easier decision to buy out Ryan Suter during the offseason even though he played well tonight. I want to see how Harley can handle a big-boy club like the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday. If he does well against them, welcome to the show Mr. Harley.