Stars begin road trip on a high note

Final

Dallas Stars 5 – Carolina Hurricanes 2

The Stars got off to a great start on their second big road trip of the season, beating the Carolina Hurricanes 5-2. The win gives Dallas 10 wins, the first team to do so this season and puts them in first place in the West with 20 points.

The Stars offense continued their recent hot streak, scoring five goals in two periods after they put up a seven-spot against the Avalanche in their last game. They started strong in this game with Eric Nystrom scoring off some slick passes from Sheldon Souray and Vernon Fiddler. Nystrom has scored a goal in three of his last four games and is looking like one of the best pickups of the year. It’s amazing that no one wanted him when he was put on waivers.

Dallas put up their second tally of the game seven minutes later on the power-play. Stephane Robidas one-timed a shot from the point that flew past Cam Ward. Stars defensemen have now scored three times in their last two games off power-play shots from the point.

The Hurricanes were able to quickly answer when Nick Grossman took a penalty about 10 seconds after the Stars scored their second goal. It only took eight seconds for the Hurricanes to score on the power-play as Chad LaRose put in a rebound past Lehtonen.

Jamie Benn answered back with less than a minute left in the period. Benn would get another goal in the second period on a short-handed 2-on-1 chance with Loui Eriksson. Michael Ryder had the other goal for the Stars. Eriksson had a slick backhand pass from behind the net that Ryder was somehow able to roof from an incredibly close range.

Carolina scored another power-play goal in the third period, but it was too little too late by then.

Dallas has looked great on offense in their last two games, scoring 12 goals. The line shift that moved Ryder to play with Eriksson and Benn has led to a scoring explosion from those three guys. In the last two games, they have 5 goals and 9 assists combined. That’s just incredible production and when Steve Ott comes back, I’d like to see Gulutzan leave these three guys alone.\

Dallas’ next game is a huge one, playing against the Washington Capitals on Tuesday.

 

Notes and Observations:

  • Benn has a five game point streak. He has 2 goals and 6 assists in that stretch.
  • Eriksson has a four game point streak. His totals in that stretch: 3 goals and 5 assists.
  • The special teams have taken a complete 180 degree turn after the beginning of the season. Their power-play is now ranked higher than their penalty-kill.
  • Dallas continues to pile on the penalty minutes. They gave up nine power-play chances today and have been on the PK 4+ times in 11 of their 13 games.
  • Nick Grossman had a lot of trouble this game, taking three penalties and misplaying a couple of pucks.
  • The power-play has been effective because the pointmen have had a lot of time to shoot. Souray, Goligoski and now Robidas all had a lot of time at the blue line and they all blasted shots past the opposition.
  • Eric Nystrom continues to impress. He’s played in just about every game since he was signed and has been really effective. The Sean Avery deal finally paid dividends for the Stars.


Game Stats and Scoring Summary

 

Dallas    Carolina
Score 5 2
Shots 27 32
Penalty Minutes 28 18
Power Plays 1 of 3 2 of 9
Blocked Shots 20 9
Hits 26 28
Faceoff Wins 31 30

 

1st Period:

  • 5:20    Eric Nystrom (3)                                   Dallas 1 – Carolina 0
    Assists: Vernon Fiddler, Sheldon Souray
  • 12:55  Stephane Robidas (1) (Power Play)         Dallas 2 – Carolina 0
    Assists: Mike Ribeiro, Michael Ryder
  • 13:18   Chad LaRose (4) (Power Play)               Dallas 2 – Carolina 1
    Assists: Jeff Skinner, Tomas Kaberle
  • 19:32   Jamie Benn (4)                                     Dallas 3 – Carolina 1
    Assists: Loui Eriksson, Michael Ryder

2nd Period:

  • 3:48    Michael Ryder (4)                                  Dallas 4 – Carolina 1
    Assists: Loui Eriksson, Sheldon Souray
  • 18:00   Jamie Benn (5) (Shorthanded)                Dallas 5 – Carolina 1
    Assist: Loui Eriksson

3rd Period:

  • 2:03    Tuomo Ruutu (4) (Power Play)                 Dallas 5 – Carolina 2
    Assists: Derek Joslin, Jay Harrison

 

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