Final – Overtime
Dallas Stars 2 – Chicago Blackhawks 3
Dallas was both unlucky and very fortunate to get at least a point in this game. Chicago dominated possession of the puck and put enormous pressure on Kari Lehtonen the entire game. The Stars couldn’t stay out of the penalty box and that, in the end, was the difference in the game as the Hawks scored three power play goals.
All of that was pretty much secondary though to the in game news that Jamie Benn had re-signed with the Stars for five years/$26.25 million.
The Positives:
- Kari Lehtonen was once again the huge positive in this game. He faced 41 shots, many of them point blank, and was able to stop 38 of them. The first goal that he allowed was actually an own goal off of Trevor Daley. He may have allowed two true goals to the Blackhawks, but Kari should take no blame for this game.
- Cody Eakin continues to impress during his time with the second line. He forced a key turnover in the second period and fed the pass to a wide open Ray Whitney in the slot for the Stars’ second goal. He’s done wonders for the second line these past two games so it’ll be interesting to see where he plays once Jamie Benn comes back.
- This should probably go without saying, but Loui Eriksson was excellent this game. While he did score a shorthanded goal, it was his overall defense in the game that impressed the most. He continuously worked back to help win the puck and provide cover for a bewildered defense.
- It wasn’t on-ice news, but the best thing about yesterday’s game was the Jamie Benn re-signing. Unfortunately he won’t be able to play in the Stars’ next game as he has work visa issues, but he’ll be back on Monday. Dallas will finally have their true top-six on the ice.
The Meh
- It was a pretty tough night once again for Derek Roy in the face-off circle. He was only 7 of 21 in this game against the likes Jonathan Toews and Dave Bolland. It’s the second straight game in which Roy has lost 14 face-offs and it really hurt Dallas in the puck possession department.
The Stars best face-off guy in this game was Vernon Fiddler (8 of 10)
- Jaromir Jagr missed a lot of the third period due to an injury which Gulutzan deemed as “not serious”. Hopefully Jagr is alright for the next game against St. Louis.
The Bad
- The defense. It was just plainly outmatched in this game. Chicago had too much speed and too much fluid movement for the Stars’ shaky defense to handle and it burned them the entire game. Time and time again a Blackhawks forward would fly by a Stars defenseman and fire an uncontested shot at Lehtonen
In total, the Blackhawks fired 77 shots (41 on goal, 12 missed and 24 blocked). Dallas won’t win many games being outshot like that.
- Penalties just murdered Dallas yesterday. They were on the penalty kill seven times in the game and allowed three power play goals (including the game winner). Brenden Morrow took a horrible penalty in overtime that took the Stars off of their power play and put the Blackhawks on a four-on-three advantag.
Dallas has to play a smarter game than that.
Scoring Summary
1st Period:
19:59 – Loui Eriksson (2) (Shorthanded) Dal 1 – Chi 0
Assists: Derek Roy (2), Alex Goligoski (1)
2nd Period:
10:41 – Ray Whitney (2) Dal 2 – Chi 0
Assist: Cody Eakin (3)
15:57 – Patrick Sharp (2) (Power Play) Dal 2 – Chi 1
Assists: Patrick Kane (4), Nick Leddy (4)
3rd Period:
14:07 – Jonathan Toews (2) (Power Play) Dal 2 – Chi 2
Assists: Patrick Sharp (3), Duncan Keith (2)
Overtime:
1:41 – Marian Hossa (5) (Power Play) Dal 2 – Chi 3
Assists: Patrick Kane (5), Patrick Sharp (4)
Game Stats:
|
|
Dallas Stars |
Chicago Blackhawks |
|
Shots |
23 |
41 |
|
PIM |
14 |
4 |
|
Power Play |
0 of 2 |
3 of 7 |
|
Penalty Kill |
4 of 7 |
2 of 2 |
|
Hits |
19 |
13 |
|
Face-off wins |
23 |
35 |
|
Blocked shots |
24 |
7 |
