After coming out of the Christmas break on a five-game losing streak, the Stars vowed to have better success when they resumed play after the Olympic break.
Entering the Olympics on a six-game win streak, they knew they’d have to completely start over after the three weeks off.
But Dallas has managed to pick up right where it left off.
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The Stars overcame a two-goal deficit to defeat the Nashville Predators 3-2 in overtime Saturday night and win their eighth consecutive game — tying a franchise record for the longest win streak.
“With the win streak, the confidence goes higher and higher,” Stars defenseman Esa Lindell said. “Lately, the simple things have been better and better.”
Nathan Bastian found the equalizing goal early in the third period to force overtime, and Jason Robertson scored the game-winner in extra time.
The Stars fell behind early after a slow first period. Stars goalie Jake Oettinger was in net for the first time since winning gold with Team USA in the Olympics, and he let in two goals in the first 20 minutes.
The play in front of him didn’t help. A Thomas Harley roughing penalty led to a Nashville power play where Michael Bunting scored first. The Stars wanted an interference call on the Predators on the zone entry, but didn’t get it.
Just over a minute later, Steven Stamkos doubled the Predators’ lead when a Stars turnover at the blue line came back the other way. The Stars were outshot 11-3 at the time.
The Stars looked disjointed early. During their win streak leading up to the break, the players said they simplified their game to find success. But their play early on Saturday didn’t look so simple, as Dallas often made one too many passes and Predators goalie Juuse Saros made some key saves.
However, that shifted by the midway point of the second period. Wyatt Johnston put Dallas on the board with his league-leading 20th power play goal of the season. Johnston set a Dallas Stars record for most power play goals in a single season in Thursday’s win over Seattle. His goal Saturday was his 32nd of the season, bringing him within one of tying his career high.
Early in the third period, depth forward Bastian found the game-tying goal, dodging Saros in open space. With Roope Hintz, Mikko Rantanen and Radek Faksa all out of the lineup again, the Stars needed some depth scoring, and Bastian answered with a timely goal.
Robertson secured the second point for Dallas, slamming home a pass by Miro Heiskanen in overtime.
Oettinger finished with 25 saves, and Saros finished with 22.
The Stars next hit the road up north for a back-to-back in Vancouver and Calgary on Monday and Tuesday where they’ll look to set the franchise record for longest win streak.
“We play so much sometimes you don’t even realize you’re on an eight gamer, and now we’re going for 10,” Bastian said.
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