Stars Fall to Mammoth in Utah, But Bring Much-Needed Fire to the Ice
The Dallas Stars wrapped up their six-game road trip with a gritty 2-1 loss to the Utah Mammoth at the Delta Center-a result that stings, but one that came with a noticeably different energy than what we saw earlier in the week. After a flat performance against Anaheim, the Stars came out swinging in Utah. And while the scoreboard didn’t tilt in their favor, the effort was there.
Dallas finishes the road swing 2-3-1, not quite the momentum-builder they were hoping for, but there were signs of life in this one-especially in the physical department. Let’s break down four key takeaways from a hard-fought night in Salt Lake City.
4. Stars Brought the Edge Early
From the opening puck drop, it was clear: Dallas came to hit. Jason Robertson, usually known for his finesse, set the tone early by throwing his weight around, including a big check that sent a Mammoth player into the boards. That kind of edge was missing in Anaheim, and it was refreshing to see the Stars respond with some bite.
The inconsistency in physical play has been a recurring theme this season. One night, they’re throwing bodies and controlling the pace; the next, they’re passive and reactive. If the Stars want to be a serious contender down the stretch, they’ll need to bottle this version of themselves and bring it every night-not just when they’re trying to bounce back from a tough loss.
3. A Costly Pause from Petrovic
Hockey is a game of inches-and seconds. Unfortunately for Dallas, Alexander Petrovic learned that the hard way.
With just seven seconds left in the second period, Petrovic let up for a brief moment, and Nick Schmaltz didn’t miss the opportunity. Schmaltz blew past him and tipped home a perfectly placed puck to give Utah the lead heading into the final frame.
It’s the kind of lapse that can undo an otherwise solid defensive effort. Petrovic’s positioning wasn’t terrible, but in today’s NHL, you can’t stop moving your feet and lose track of your surroundings. That split-second decision proved costly, and it’s the kind of detail Dallas will need to clean up if they want to avoid similar heartbreaks.
2. Defense Holds Strong Without Miro
With Miro Heiskanen still sidelined, the Stars’ blue line had every excuse to be vulnerable. But instead, they stepped up.
Esa Lindell in particular made a standout play, shutting down what looked like a sure-fire Michigan-style goal attempt. It was a savvy, composed moment that highlighted just how well Dallas adjusted without their top defenseman.
Going 1-1 without Heiskanen isn’t ideal, but it’s respectable. More importantly, it showed that the rest of the defensive corps can hold their own when called upon. That kind of depth will be critical as the season wears on and injuries inevitably pile up.
1. Oettinger Locked In
Jake Oettinger was dialed in from the jump. He was tested early on the penalty kill and came up with key saves to keep the Mammoth off the board.
The goal that deflected off his mask and in? That’s just bad puck luck-nothing you can do there.
But overall, Oettinger looked sharp and confident, tracking pucks through traffic and keeping Dallas in the game.
With the Olympic break looming and roster decisions approaching, there’s a strong case to be made for giving Oettinger more consecutive starts. He’s looked increasingly like the No. 1 netminder Dallas needs him to be, and building that rhythm now could pay major dividends in February.
Final Word
This wasn’t the ending Dallas wanted to their longest road trip of the season, but it wasn’t without positives. The physicality was back.
The defense held strong without their anchor. And Oettinger looked every bit the goalie capable of carrying a team through tough stretches.
Now, it’s back to Texas with a chance to reset and get back on track against Tampa Bay on Sunday. If the Stars bring the same energy they showed in Utah-and tidy up the mental lapses-they’ll be in a good spot to start stacking wins again.