Kings of the Road: Dallas Stars Game 34: 3-2 Loss to the Los Angeles Kings

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The Los Angeles Kings handed the Dallas Stars a hard-fought 3-2 loss Sunday night that pushed the Stars’ current homestand record to 2-2.

The Stars had visited the Kings twice earlier this season and defeated them both times, but this time the story flipped. The Kings were playing the second of a back-to-back, but they seemed faster and more-determined throughout most of the game. They Stars only managed 15 shots on goal while the Kings had 31 through two periods and ended with 40.

The Kings were first on the scoreboard when their forecheck led to a turnover in the corner behind Dallas’ net. Jeff Carter got the puck along the boards and fluttered a backhand shot toward the net. Dustin Penner screened Kari Lehtonen and the puck flew in for a 1-0 25 seconds into the game.

Jamie Benn tied the game up for the Stars when Alex Goligoski’s two line pass sprung him on a breakaway. Benn deked to his right and tucked in a backhand shot between Jonathan Bernier’s legs 13:16 into the second period.

The Kings regained the lead 5:40 into the third period when Kyle Clifford intercepts a pass by Tomas Vincour near the Dallas blue line, and he gives the puck to Brad Richardson who wrists it past Lehtonen.

Little over a minute later, Justin Williams was able to get behind the Dallas defense and bury his own rebound shot to give the Kings a 3-1 lead.

Ray Whitney brought the deficit back down to one when he blasted a slap shot from the right circle on a power play 11:04 into the third period. The Stars took over the game offensively at that point, and furiously attempted to tie the game, but the buzzer blew and the Stars lost out on two critical points that would have put them seventh in the standings.

The Stars conclude their 5-game homestand Monday night when they host the Anaheim Ducks.