Final
Dallas Stars 1 – Los Angeles Kings 3
Whatever hope Dallas Stars fans had left for the playoffs died as Dustin Brown skated down the ice and leisurely put the puck into the Stars empty net. A season of ups and downs will end on the ultimate down note as the Stars lose 3-1 to the Kings, leaving what is essentially no chance at making the playoffs.
In a game that they had to win, Dallas played in this game with no urgency. Los Angeles dictated the play and the onnly time Dallas played with some fire was in the last minute, when they were down 2-1 and needed a goal. The Stars were lazy to the puck, constantly getting beaten and were failling to rush the net. Once again, the top forwards for the team did next to nothing, even with Richards’ goal.
To make the playoffs, Dallas would have to win each of their last five games, an inconceivable notion given their recent performances. They would then need either Chicago or Anaheim to then go winless in their final five games, again virtually impossible given their recent winning ways.
The Stars next game is April 3 at Anaheim to play the Ducks.
1st Period:
Kings had the first scoring chance of the game after two minutes of back and forth play as Kyle Clifford gets a point blank chance that Kari Lehtonen stops.
Bad news for the Stars as Jonathan Quick looks to be at the top of his game tonight, he’s moving well out there and is not allowing any rebounds early in the game.
Once again, Brad Richards and Loui Eriksson just aren’t connecting like they did before the All-Star break. A couple of passes from Richards have eluded Loui in front of the net.
A flurry of shots eight minutes into the game finally gets a couple of good rebound chances for the Stars, but Quick is able to stop those as well.
The refs are letting the teams play today, a couple of cross checks have be allowed.
Halfway through the first period, Dallas get some great pressure in the Kings zone. They spent a good two minutes constantly attacking Quick.
Things just aren’t bouncing the Stars way again. A shot from Langenbrunner hits the crossbar after a good pass from Wandell.
Stars are struggling at the end of a period again. Kings are turning the Stars over and peppering Lehtonen with shots.
No penalties were called in this period. This is the first time in the season series that a a regulation period has ended and no penalties occurred.
1st Period Stats
| Dallas | Los Angeles | |
| Score | 0 | 0 |
| Shots | 12 | 12 |
| Penalty Minutes | 0 | 0 |
| Power Plays | None | None |
| Blocked Shots | 8 | 3 |
| Hits | 11 | 11 |
| Faceoff Wins | 7 | 9 |
2nd Period:
Morrow had a great chance to score in the first 30 seconds of the period as he stole a puck in the Kings zone and was free for an uncontested shot. He fired it way to high however, so there was no chance for a score or rebound chance.
Wayne Simmonds scores at the 4:15 mark of the period. an Alexei Ponikarovsky shot gets blocked by Mark Fistric but he gets injured after the puck hits him and he’s forced to limp around the ice. The puck lands on Mitchell’s stick and his shot is tipped by Simmonds. The puck dribbles past Kari Lehtonen. Fistric is in front of the net and has a shot to knock the puck away, but he whiffs, sort of tips the puck forward and it ends up in the net.
Brad Richards answers quickly, scoring a minute later. The goal is similar to the way that the Kings scored as Richards’ shot is partially stopped, but finds its’ way through Quick’s legs and into the net. It’s his first goal since March 13, a seven game span. Benn and Goligosky get assists on the play. Like Richards, it’s Goligosky’s first assist since the March 13 game, which was coincidentally also against the Kings.
Penalties finally occur with nine seconds left in the period as Mike Ribeiro and Brad Richardson get offsetting roughing minors.
| Dallas | Los Angeles | |
| Score | 1 | 1 |
| Shots | 5 | 10 |
| Penalty Minutes | 2 | 2 |
| Power Plays | None | None |
| Blocked Shots | 4 | 4 |
| Hits | 9 | 11 |
| Faceoff Wins | 6 | 15 |
3rd Period:
Brad Richards get the first chance of the third period 20 seconds in when he gets an open backhand look, but his shot misses the net.
Trevor Daly missed what was essentially an open net from the face-off circle. Ribeiro stick-handled his way through and found Daly skating down the left side. Quick was out of position, but Daly shot wide.
Fistric takes a stick right to the mouth, but the refs don’t call a penalty. Only something extraordinary, or a delay of game, would be called.
Both goaltenders have looked pretty good in this game. They’ve been giving up some rebounds, but those chances have also been stuffed for the most part.
Matt Greene scores at the 12:50 mark. His shot from the wing goes in after it bounces of Goligoski’s skate. Lehtonen was challenging the shot, which was heading wide. Goligoski had taken an (uncalled) stick to the face and was standing and the side of the net clutching his face. The puck hits his right skate and bounces right into the goal.
| Dallas | Los Angeles | |
| Score | 1 | 3 |
| Shots | 8 | 10 |
| Penalty Minutes | 0 | 0 |
| Power Plays | None | None |
| Blocked Shots | 5 | 2 |
| Hits | 10 | 14 |
| Faceoff Wins | 9 | 9 |
Game Stats and Scoring Summary
| Dallas | Los Angeles | |
| Score | 1 | 3 |
| Shots | 25 | 32 |
| Penalty Minutes | 2 | 2 |
| Power Plays | None | None |
| Blocked Shots | 17 | 9 |
| Hits | 30 | 36 |
| Faceoff Wins | 22 | 33 |
1st Period: None
2nd Period:
- 4: 15 Wayne Simmonds (14) Dallas 0 – Los Angeles 1
Assists: Willie Mitchell, Trevor Lewis
- 5:28 Brad Richards (26) Dallas 1 – Los Angeles 1
Assists: Jamie Benn, Alex Goligoski
3rd Period:
- 12:50 Matt Greene (2) Dallas 1 – Los Angeles 2
Assists: Wayne Simmonds, Kyle Clifford
- 19:52 Dustin Brown (28) (Empty Net) Dallas 1 – Los Angeles 3
Unassisted
