The Stars admitted that their 5-on-5 play hasn’t been up to par lately, but dominant special teams play has carried them.
Entering Saturday’s matchup against the two-time defending champion Florida Panthers, Stars coach Glen Gulutzan called it a “measuring stick” game, as the Stars hoped to improve upon some of their recent struggles.
But instead, Dallas was outplayed both at even strength and special teams, as the Florida Panthers cruised to a 4-0 victory at American Airlines Center behind a three-goal second period. The loss was Dallas’ first shutout of the season.
Dallas dropped back-to-back games in regulation for the first time since mid-October. The Stars have also gone 0-5-1 against the Panthers in their last six meetings. The Panthers play a fast and physical game, but the Stars couldn’t even beat this Panthers team that is currently outside the playoff picture.
Sports Roundup
“We didn’t know the feeling for so long, so it’s hard,” Stars forward Radek Faksa said. “They showed us a lesson today. It’s maybe good we got a little slap because the last few games we were a little sloppy.”
Saturday night hockey! Photos from Stars’ game vs. Panthers
View Gallery
The teams came out slow to start, combining for just four shots in the first period. It was the lowest combined shot total in a period in the NHL this season.
The second period was all Florida, as the Panthers got on the board first just 19 seconds into the period when Anton Lundell made a move to dodge Jake Oettinger.
The Panthers extended their lead just a few minutes later when the Stars got caught on the ice for an extended shift where Florida continually threatened. Last season’s Conn Smythe winner Sam Bennett converted for the Panthers at the end of that shift. The goal was reviewed for a potential kicking motion, but the call on the ice of a good goal stood.
Stars captain Jamie Benn sought to ignite his group, dropping the gloves with Panthers winger Noah Gregor. Benn ripped Gregor’s helmet off and delivered four or five direct blows to the head before the fight was broken up. Both players were handed majors for fighting.
The rest of the second period was highlighted by special teams, as each team had two power plays. The Stars could not score in their three total power play attempts Saturday, recording just one shot on goal while sacrificing three to the Panthers. Florida nearly scored shorthanded on multiple occasions, including a shot by Eetu Luostarinen on a breakaway that hit the crossbar and bounced off Oettinger’s back before the goaltender pinned the puck against the post to prevent a goal.
Dallas’ penalty kill, which had killed a league-best 32 consecutive penalties over its last 10 games entering the matchup, saw that streak come to an end when Brad Marchand made it a 3-0 game with just 15 seconds left in the period.
Goals in the first and last minutes of periods are often considered daggers. Florida had both in a deadly second period for the Stars.
Marchand scored his second goal into an empty net with under three minutes left in regulation.
The Stars finished with just 15 shots on goal, far from enough to challenge Sergei Bobrovsky. Oettinger finished with 19 saves.
“That’s the lesson,” Gulutzan said. “You’ve got to amp up your battle level and your compete level, and when you find yourself at the net, you’ve got to get more shots and volume in there, especially against these types of teams because you need to create chaos.”
Dallas was without Adam Erne (lower body) Nils Lundkvist (illness), Lian Bichsel (lower body) and Tyler Seguin (lower body). Seguin was honored before the game for playing in his 1,000th game earlier this season on Oct. 30 in Tampa, though he is expected to miss the rest of this season.
The Stars will remain home and face the Los Angeles Kings Monday night.
Inside the Dallas Stars’ financial argument for a move to Plano: land and premium seats Roope Hintz to play in Stars’ game vs. Florida after injury scare