The Stars returned from the Olympic break more beaten down than most other teams in the league. Seven Stars went deep in the tournament. Mikko Rantanen and Radek Faksa were injured, and Roope Hintz returned sick. None of the three played in Wednesday’s 4-1 win over the Seattle Kraken, which was Dallas’ first game back.
Dallas needed one of its more well-rested players to step up in their absence and carry on a six-game win streak the Stars finished on before the break. Wyatt Johnston answered the call.
The 22-year-old scored twice in the win — once late in the first period and again in the second period on the power play — to pass the 30-goal mark for the third consecutive season. He also set a Dallas Stars record for most power play goals in a season with 19, passing Mike Modano’s 18 scored in 1993-94.
“That’s a pretty impressive guy to pass,” Stars forward Matt Duchene said. “He’s got a statue out front.”
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Dino Ciccarelli holds the franchise record, scoring 22 goals for the Minnesota North Stars in the 1986-87 season. With 24 games remaining this season, Johnston is well on track to pass his record.
Johnston kicked off Dallas’ scoring late in the first before the Stars scored three goals in a 4 ½ minute span early in the second period. Duchene and Sam Steel added Dallas’ other two goals, with Duchene continuing his hot streak from before the break where he had six goals in his last six games. Steel scored off a rebound on the rush, and Seattle challenged the goal for goaltender interference, but the call of a good goal on the ice stood. That led to a power play where Johnston scored.
“I thought there was good emotion in the game,” Stars coach Glen Gulutzan said. “I thought we picked up where we left off almost, which was nice to see.”
The Kraken answered with one goal in the third period from Ryker Evans, but the Stars’ sizable lead held.
The Stars outshot the Kraken 32-19, and goaltender Casey DeSmith finished with 18 saves.
Dallas returned defenseman Lian Bichsel to the lineup for the first time in three months. He suffered a lower-body injury on Nov. 30 and needed surgery. In his first game back, Bichsel played 13:34 with one shot, two blocked shots and two hits.
Forward Arttu Hyry also made his season debut for Dallas after being called up from the Texas Stars Wednesday morning to replace the injured Olympians. He played 10:25 and had three shots on goal.
The Stars have two days off before facing the Nashville Predators at home Saturday night.
Wyatt-led W: See photos from Dallas Stars’ victory over Seattle Kraken at American Airlines Center
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