Stars center Roope Hintz celebrates his game winning goal in overtime against Ottawa on 11/11. Photo taken by Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press via AP
Don’t call it a comeback. Call it a normal Stars game under Glen Gulutzan. Dallas was on script this game. I had no even sat down to watch the game before the Stars fell behind. Yet once again, down 2-0 in the first period, Dallas showed that they’re the comeback kids. Down 2-0 I leaned over to my friend and said “we have them right where we want them”. I’ve never felt so right in my entire life.
Dallas is now on a three game win streak, two of those games have required comebacks. They overcame a 3-2 deficit at the end of the second period in Nashville, and now a 2-0 deficit at the end of the first period in Ottawa.
By winning in Ottawa Dallas snaps a long-standing losing streak in Ottawa. The Stars had lost every game in Ottawa since 2016. Now that streak is finally over!
Game Recap
1st period: As previously mentioned Dallas didn’t get off to a hot start (shocker). Just 49 seconds in, Drake Batherson scored from the left face-off circle on a pass from Jake Sanderson to make it 1-0.
To say that Dallas struggled would be an understatement. The Stars didn’t register a shot until more than seven minutes into the period, and were out-shot significantly in the opening frame.
As soon as Dallas started gaining momentum Ottawa scored again. At 8:53, Nick Jensen added another for the Senators. He chipped one over the glove of Jake Oettinger to make it 2-0. End of 1st Period: Senators lead 2-0.
2nd period: As always it took Dallas a period to get their footing in this game. Who else to kickstart the Stars scoring than Mikko Rantanen. Rantanen forced a turnover at the Stars’ blue line, then received a stretch pass from Jason Robertson and converted on a breakaway to cut the lead to 2-1.
To add to the Senators woes their star defenseman Thomas Chabot had to leave the game with an undisclosed upper-body injury. Chabot did not return. This forced Ottawa to defend with 5 defensemen all game instead of 6.
While the period ended 2-1 in favor of Ottawa, the Stars looked energized as they began ramping up shots and possession.
3rd period: A freshly energized Stars team came out pressing hard. All they needed was a spark. That spark came from a Ridly Greig tripping penalty against Lian Bichsel. All Dallas needed was that powerplay. The third best PP in the NHL got to work, ending in a Jason Robertson snipe to even the score 2-2.
From that point on, Dallas dominated. The Stars out-shot Ottawa roughly 17-6 in the third period and controlled most of the offensive zone time. However, despite the mounting pressure Dallas couldn’t get it done in regulation.
End of regulation: Stars and Sens tied at 2.
Overtime: The Stars second home. A scramble in front of the goal led to a Roope Hintz curse breaking goal. Dallas’ first win in Ottawa since March 6th, 2016.
I was 12 years old the last time Dallas won in Ottawa. GO STARS!
Takeaways:
1. Get your blood pressure medication now – The Stars have shown that they’re a comeback team. Dallas relies on great goalkeeping, offensive stars (who take a period to get going), and blue line puck-handling. The Stars are a very fragile team. If one of those 3 metrics doesn’t work, the team unwinds and cannot dig itself out of the common 1st period hole.
Saying that being down 2-0 on the road is “tough” is an understatement. However, Dallas has shown tremendous mental toughness and game managment to claw their way back into this game.
Now it’s time for me to brag a little bit. During my game preview I predicted an early Ottawa lead, and eventual Stars comeback. Dallas overcame their early deficit, and while the final wasn’t 4–2(like i predicted), rallying from a 2–0 hole to earn a 3–2 victory is an impressive feat in itself.
2. The clutch gene – When given opportunities this team produces. Dallas got a powerplay opportunity in a crucial time, and converted when they needed to most. Robertson, Rantanen and Hintz all produced. In particular, Robertson’s 3-point night, with the game tying goal, further emphasizes his clutchness and development as a team player. Robertson’s goal on the power play in the 3rd tied the game and swung momentum. Dallas converting when it counted.
You can’t mention clutch without mentioning Jake Oettinger. The Dallas goaltender faced an early onslaught on shots, but reminded a steady wall for Dallas to rely on throughout the game.
Game Highlights:
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