The Dallas Stars clawed their way back to a crucial victory against the Vegas Golden Knights, capitalizing on special teams to boost their playoff positioning.
In game three of a six-game homestand, the Stars continued their impressive post-Olympic break run, now standing at 5-0-1. Head coach Glen Gulutzan made some lineup changes, with Nathan Bastian sitting out and Arttu Hyry stepping in. Gulutzan also provided updates on key injuries: Roope Hintz is expected back before the playoffs, and Mikko Rantanen is making progress, potentially returning in a couple of weeks.
The matchup was anticipated to be a defensive showdown, with both teams known for their strong back-end play. The first period lived up to expectations, ending with just four shots on goal for the Golden Knights and three for the Stars.
The second period saw a shift in momentum. Vegas struck first, with Ivan Barbashev setting up Jack Eichel for a goal, aided by a screen from Miro Heiskanen.
But the Stars responded, led by Colin Blackwell's relentless efforts. Blackwell created a chance that Oskar Back capitalized on, evening the score.
Special teams played a pivotal role, with 10 minutes of penalties between the teams. The Stars made the most of their power play, as Jamie Benn deflected a shot from Wyatt Johnston to give Dallas a 2-1 lead heading into the final period.
In the third, both teams had power-play opportunities but couldn't convert. The Stars held firm, securing the win and breathing a sigh of relief after previous late-game struggles.
Now just five points behind the first-place Colorado Avalanche, the Stars are in a tight race for playoff positioning. With two more matchups against the Avs, every point is crucial as they aim for home-ice advantage.
Next up, the Stars face the Edmonton Oilers at the American Airlines Center on Thursday. The playoff race is heating up, and Dallas is right in the thick of it.