Dallas Stars Game 47: The Good and the Bad

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Dallas Stars 3-1 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets

Shots: Dallas 32, Columbus 35

PP: Dallas 1/3, Columbus 2/4

The Good:

Variety of shots on Bob- Bobrovsky is very good at getting his body in front of the puck and swallowing rebounds. He’ll take the puck in the gut or chest and squeeze it. The Stars didn’t get too much traffic in front of the net, but they did well peppering him with a variety of shots. Several times, Stars players could be seen withholding a shot to look for a pass to get Bobrovsky moving a little in hopes it would get him out of position. They didn’t cause the deflection on the first goal, but you could see the puck changing directions in front with two guys driving the net led to the goal. 

Dallas goal #1- Cole sent a centering feed to Eriksson in the slot. The puck hits off Atkinson's stick and goes wide of the net, but right to where Benn can tap it in behind Bobrovsky.

Whitney had a chance in tight that sailed high.

Cole made a great move to get between Columbus defenders and get a clear chance on net, but Bobrovsky came up big. 

Fiddler received a pass in front of the net and had a great opportunity to score, but Bobrovsky's elbow got enough for the save.

The Bad:

Forwards back-checking- Dallas’ forwards were much better after the trade deadline at coming back on defense and helping eliminate scoring chances. This game… not so much. After being used to seeing Eakin, Fiddler and others skating behind the Stars’ net to collect a puck or pressure an opponent, we didn’t see much of that tonight. The Stars defenders for the most part seemed to be on their own, especially through 40 minutes. Forwards needed to drop back quicker and more often.

Losing their coverage- Both of Atkinson’s goals were a result of him being left alone to the side of the net to put in a rebound. I don’t blame Letestu’s goal on Nystrom not getting to him fast enough. It was a clean faceoff win and Letestu let his hammer shot loose. Nystrom headed right at him. If the puck was an inch lower, Nystrom would’ve blocked it. If the puck was an inch higher, Lehtonen probably would’ve gloved it. The Atkinson goals were just being lost, from Lehtonen to the defense.

After the initial shot from the left wing boards bounced to the slot, Comeau took a shot on net. Lehtonen thought he had the puck covered but it slid to his right. 

Columbus goal #1- Lehtonen thought he had the puck, but it slid to his right and Atkinson got the open goal. 

Columbus goal #3- A shot from Johnson near the blue line was stopped by Lehtonen. He thought he had it, but again it trickled to his right. Again, Atkinson was left alone to the side of the net and scored the final goal of the game. 

Another shot of the final goal. 

Penalty kill- Columbus ended 2-for-4 on the power play and the numbers tell the story here. The Stars did well on the first two. They managed six successful clears and only allowed two shots on goal in the first two PK’s. Columbus scored after four clears and one shot on goal in the third man advantage. The fourth Columbus power play led to a goal right off the opening faceoff.  Considering how strong the PK was recently, Dallas fell back a little tonight.

Columbus goal #2- Off the opening faceoff on a power play, Letestu's shot deflects off Nystrom's stick and goes off the post and into the net.

Lines seen tonight:

Whitney-Benn-Eriksson

Nystrom-Fiddler-Cole

Roussel-Eakin-Garbutt

MacDermid-Wandell-Smith

Dillon-Goligoski

Daley-Robidas

Jo. Benn-Larsen

PP- Eriksson-Benn-Whitney-Cole-Robidas (Goligoski and Robidas switched on first unit)

PP- Smith-Eakin-Garbutt-Daley-Goligoski

PP-Fiddler-Nystrom-Eakin-Daley-Robidas

PK- Nystrom-Fiddler-Daley-Robidas

PK- Eriksson-Eakin-Dillon-Goligoski

PK- Cole-Eakin-Dillon-Goligoski

PK- Fiddler-Nystrom-Jo. Benn-Daley (Robidas in the box)

Notable Notes:

MacDermid got into it with Boll for the second fight of the game.

MacDermid landed a few good punches on Boll and ended up on top. 

Huge hit by Boll on Eakin that made both of them wince on the bench soon after. 

Probably Lehtonen's best save of the game. Gaborik intercepted a Robidas pass at the Columbus blue line. He streaked ahead on a breakaway, but Lehtonen stood strong. 

A solid save by Lehtonen on Umberger in tight in the first period.

A really awkward but good save by Lehtonen. Easily the weirdest save of the night.

Lehtonen didn't see the puck on this save until it was almost literally on his pad. 

Another huge hit by Columbus. 

 Nystrom landed some haymakers in his fight. 

Not sure what was going on here, but thought it was funny. After his fight, the camera caught Nystrom pointing two fingers at his eyes, then someone on the ice, then pointed to the Columbus penalty box. 

Richard Matvichuk was honored for being selected to the 20th Anniversary team.

Opening ceremonial faceoff.

Matvichuk!