The Dallas Stars returned to American Airlines Center on Tuesday night after nearly five months away.
The Stars continued their hot start to the regular season, defeating a third consecutive Central Division opponent. Dallas beat the Minnesota Wild 5-2 and advanced to 3-0-0.
The Stars held a 3-0 lead entering the third period, but Minnesota closed the gap on two power-play goals. Dallas managed to escape in regulation. Two empty-netters made the score look more lopsided than it was.
Here are five takeaways from the Stars’ home-opening win:
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They’re back! See photos from the Dallas Stars’ home opener against the Minnesota Wild
View GalleryPower play helps Stars build comfortable lead
The Stars were poised for a new look on their power play with assistant Neil Graham taking over the unit after a promotion from Cedar Park, and new head coach Glen Gulutzan being known as one of the top power play minds in the league.
Its potential was on display Tuesday night.
The Stars went 2 for 2 on the power play.
Late in the first period, Wyatt Johnston showed his puck handling skills and weaved through Wild defenders before going top shelf on Filip Gustavsson. The Stars were awarded another power play with under a minute left in the first period, and Matt Duchene scored 91 seconds into the second. His pass bounced off Minnesota defenseman Zach Bogosian’s skate and into the net.
The Stars’ power play was just 1 for 7 with two shorthanded goals allowed in its first two games against Winnipeg and Colorado. The group made good progress Tuesday.
“I think we have had really good looks the past two games, too, but I think it’s good that it’s clicking and we got a couple,” Stars forward Roope Hintz said.
Stars’ lead fades again, as PK can’t stop red-hot Wild
Gulutzan said Tuesday morning he warned his players to avoid taking penalties against the Wild, who were 8 for 17 on the power play in their first three games of the season. Minnesota had scored seven power-play goals total over its past two matchups.
The Wild continued their success Tuesday night to crawl back into the game.
The Stars held a three-goal advantage entering the third period and had already killed two penalties.
But in the third, Alexander Petrovic was called for instigating in addition to fighting Jake Middleton. Petrovic dropped the gloves with Middleton after he had delivered a hit to teammate Duchene that sent the Stars forward down the tunnel. Minnesota capitalized with a textbook tip-in by Matt Boldy.
“I liked the response from Petro, certainly,” Gulutzan said. “I didn’t like the hit. I thought that it was high. Usually, my history here is they usually run on the side of more aggressive in their call there, but they didn’t.”
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Later in the period, Colin Blackwell was called for holding, and Kirill Kaprizov scored Minnesota’s second power-play goal of the night.
It’s the second time this season that the Stars have seen a lead of three or more goals reduced to just one goal down the stretch. Minnesota held a 16-4 shot advantage in the third. In both games, special teams played a big part.
The Stars’ penalty kill is now 10 for 13 to start the year.
Wyatt Johnston extends goal streak to three
Johnston’s power play goal marked the third straight game the 22-year-old has scored to start the season.
After scoring in each of Dallas’ first two games, Johnston showed poise and patience on a chaotic power play, finishing a beautiful goal to extend the Stars’ early lead.
Johnston is coming off back-to-back 30-goal campaigns and has improved his point total in each of his first three NHL seasons. He was a standout in training camp and preseason, and many felt he was prepared to take a step further in 2025-26.
A goal-per-game pace early this season is a solid place to start.
“It’s not shocking for anyone that’s in his room or around him,” Stars goalie Jake Oettinger said. “He just wants to be one of the best players in the world and works really hard. I think the best is yet to come which is scary for other people because of how good he already is.”
Defensemen continue to join scoring
The Stars needed more scoring contributions from their defensemen than they received a year ago, especially with defensemen such as Thomas Harley and Miro Heiskanen, who are capable of being major point producers.
But a defenseman found the net for the third straight game Tuesday.
Esa Lindell opened the scoring 5:37 into the game, as Roope Hintz found him trailing. Lindell is known for his defensive and penalty-killing abilities but has sneaky offensive skills that he uses sparingly.
After goals from Nils Lundkvist, Harley and now Lindell, the Stars will welcome any more scoring they can get from their defensemen. Miro Heiskanen hasn’t even joined that list yet.
Jake Oettinger posts another 30-save day
The Stars’ starting netminder ended last season on a low note when he was benched in Game 5 of the Western Conference finals, but he’s started this season better than Dallas could’ve hoped.
Despite allowing four goals in each of the first two games, Oettinger was a big reason Dallas won both, especially the shootout win at Colorado where he made 35 saves.
On Tuesday, he only allowed goals on the power play and made 38 saves.
That also included eight saves in the first three minutes, as Oettinger’s poised start allowed Dallas to settle in before taking the first lead a few minutes later.
“We’d like him to not see a ton and control the play and not give him anything, but it’s great when he’s there to back us up,” Johnston said.
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