Photo taken by David Zalubowski, AP photographer
Dallas is the real deal:
We’re only two games into the season, and the Stars are 2-0-0. Despite many teams being 2-0-0, the Stars have by far the most impressive resume in the NHL. First, a road win in Winnipeg over the Directors Cup winning Jets. Secondly, tonight against the Colorado Avalanche in Colorado. In this article we will disect the Stars win, how we stole the game, and what to look forward to throughout the season.
Game Recap: Watch the game, not the stat sheet
If you were to look at the box score, having not watched the game, you would think that the Stars absolutely didn’t deserve to win and got lucky. While some who watched may argue that they didn’t deserve the win, it’s easy to see that the win wasn’t luck.
First period: To say the Stars were dominated in the first period would be an understatement. Dallas got off 5 shots to Colorado’s 13 shots. Luckily Jake Oettinger came to play tonight. Otter saved all 13 shots that he faced. The same cannot be said for Colorado’s goalie, former Dallas Star backup Scott Wedgewood. Wedgewood faced 5 shots, but let in a fierce slap shot from Thomas Harley with one minute remaining in the period. Harley was beautifully assisted by Mikko Rantenen, who found him all alone at the top of the Avalanche zone. Stars lead 1-0 at the end of the 1st due to Oettingers heroics, and a Harley rocket.
Second Period: Here is where the barnburner came into full effect. It was Colorado who struck first with a beautiful set-piece play. Martin Necas snuck behind the Stars defense. He was then threaded a pass perfectly, resulting in a wrist-shot, and a tied game. After the game was tied tempers flared between the rival teams. Justin Hryckowian and Ross Colton both got minor penalties for fighting, and the game continued on 4v4 for a bit. This game was scrappy. It was clear that there is even worse blood between these teams than in previous years. The hatred was accentuated by the Colorado crowd, who booed Duchene and Rantenen (former Avs) every time they received the puck. After 10 minutes Colorado struck again. This time it was 21 year old Gavin Brindley with his first ever NHL goal. This goal put the Stars behind 2-1. Luckily the Stars weren’t done scoring. Within the final ten minutes of the period Nathan Bastian and Jason Robertson scored a wrist-shot and a tip-in respectively. These goals led regained Stars advantage at the end of the period.
Third period: Sitting at 3-2 during the third period the Stars had all the reasons to feel confident. Up a goal, going into their famed third period. What could go wrong? Well apparently a lot can go wrong, and fast. Thirty four seconds into the period Artturi Lehkonen scored a fierce shot to level the score at 3 all. However, the Avs weren’t the only team with a hot third period start. Two minutes into the period Wyatt Johnston found himself 1 on 1 with Scott Wedgewood. He juked his former teammate and tucked the puck into the bottom right pocket of the goal to give the Stars their lead back. Later in the period Ilya Lyubushkin got booked on a double-minor high sticking penalty. The Stars fought valiantly, killing off three minutes of the double minor. However, the Avalanche attack was to fierce. Eventually they broke through, leading to a Nathan MacKinnon goal, leveling the score at 4 all. Jake Oettinger then made some key saves down the stretch to keep the Stars level. Regulation would then end, sending the Stars into their dreaded overtime.
Overtime: The Otter Show. Jake Oettinger absolutely took over this game in the third period and overtime. I counted three absolute robberies from the Stars #1 goalie. The main one, with only 40 seconds left in OT. A perfect pass was threaded to Necas, and it looked like he had a wide open goal. Then Otter slide across at the last second, gloving the goal and keeping the Stars alive. This game went into a shootout because of his heroics.
Shootout: Jason Robertson was the first to take his shot. He skated up against his old teammate, best friend, and buried the puck into the net to give the Stars a shootout goal. Right after, Otter got a massive stop to give the Stars an advantage. For the second shot Matt Duchene, the former Avalanche, stepped up and was subsequently stopped by Scott Wedgewood. Valeri Nichushkin then buried his attempt passed Otter, leading to a tied shootout. Finally, another former Avalanche Mikko Rantanen stepped up take his penalty. Getting booed the entire way down the ice he demolished Wedgewood and slotted in a beautiful shot. Finally, Nathan MacKinnon was last, his poor effort was saved easily by Oettinger.
Analysis and Statistics: Elite goalkeeping saves Stars
The first statistic that jumps off the box-score is Oettingers saves. The Stars were outshot 39 to 22, yet Otters heroics kept them in the game. 35 saves in regulation and OT, including 3 incredible robberies in overtime kept the Stars in the game.
The second statistic is the penalty minutes. Once again the Stars struggled to keep themselves out of the penalty box. Dallas served 15 total penalty minutes over the course of the game. Accounting for about 1/4th of the games total ice time. This is a recurring problem, and coach Glen Gulutzan needs to address. One thing that we learned was how incredible the Stars penalty kill is. Necas, MacKinnon, Makar, Nichushkin, and Oloffson is one of the best powerplays the Stars will face this year. While spending 15 minutes in the box Dallas only let up 1 powerplay goal to this unit. Resulting in a 20% powerplay conversion rate for Colorado.
Stars of the game:
This game was so electric that these stars of the game could go in any direction. Both teams showcased incredible depth, with standout performances across every line. From clutch goaltending saves that kept the score tight, to highlight-reel goals and relentless defensive efforts. Whether it was the Stars’ offensive firepower or their elite defense, every shift felt like someone was making a case to be one of the night’s stars. Picking just a few top performers feels almost impossible after a game this loaded with talent.
Star 1: Jake Oettinger
Dallas simply would have lost if it wasn’t for Otter. If you’ve made it this far in the article you’ve already seen me describe Otter’s heroics in detail. Simply put, Dallas would lost in regulation if not for Otter, and Dallas would have lost in OT if not for Otter.
Stars 2: Thomas Harley
Harley opened the scoring today. He was a part of the Stars 80% successful penalty kills, and nabbed an assist for his second point when he passed the puck to Jason Robertson for the score.
Star 3: Jason Robertson
Robertson himself didn’t just score in the shootout to help seal the win, he was also instrumental in creating offense all night, capitalizing on Harley’s pass to give the Stars the 3-2 lead at the end of the second period.
Recap:
The Stars are 2-0 on the season with two massive road wins against Winnipeg and now Colorado. Dallas has proven themselves to be the Western Conference team to beat. Dallas opens up their home slate this week, when the take on the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday. The Wild are another formidable team in the West, but there’s no doubt that the Stars are ready for them.
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