Dallas Stars Game 18: The Good and the Bad

Getty Images

Dallas Stars 3-1 win against San Jose Sharks

Shots: Dallas 28, San Jose 32

PP: Dallas 2-6, San Jose 1-7

The Good:

Cristopher Nilstorp- He finally got his first NHL win. He was really strong in net stopping 31 of 32. They were just 32 shots from the outside. They came from all over the ice in all fashions and he did a good job swallowing rebounds, limiting second opportunities in close. True that the team in front of him helped him a little better this game but there were moments when the Sharks were swarming with a consistent attack and NIlstorp stood strong. He kept busy the whole game, bookmarked the game with 12 shots in first and another 12 in the third.

Nilstorp celebrating his first NHL win.

Couldn't help myself, random picture I really liked of a Nilstorp save (Getty Images)

Physicality- The game started with a quick, physical pace with lots and lots of stick battles, but the Benn-Thornton fight really changed things up. The game turned into a fiery pace filled with body-crumbling hits and tons of shots. I thought it was some of the most exciting gameplay from the Stars this season. The Stars had one of their most physically dominating nights of the season so far. They outhit the Sharks 29-8. 29-8! There was an unbelievable fight and almost a second one but the refs broke it up.

Benn started off with two great punches, but Thornton came back hard and they ended up trading punches the rest of the fight. (Getty Images)

Joe Thornton "cup-checked" Benn from behind and the fight soon began.

Morrow and Wingels were ready to fight late in the second period but for some reason the refs stopped it before it started. 

Jamie Benn- He had a Gordie Howe hat trick and in a big way. His assist opened the scoring and got the PP moving. His goal sealed the game in the 3^rd period. His assisted a big power play goal from Jagr that opened the scoring. And he fought Thornton (two inches taller and 20 pounds heavier than Benn) which really pushed the game’s pace and intensity up in the 2^nd period.

Dallas goal #3: Benn took a big hit from Murray, but Benn dished off a pass and got it right back to wrist it in the net. 

A look from another angle showing the bodies Benn's shot went through. 

Easily the man of the night. 

Big name scoring- Finally, the Stars didn’t rely on their 3^rd and 4^th lines to come up on the score sheet. Jagr, Ryder and Benn scored. The first line combined for 4 points and 5 shots. The bottom six did what you’d expect, provided grit, hustle lots of hitting, speed and a strong effort in both ends of the ice. But the top 6 stepped up and did as expected of them. Sure two of the goals were on the power play but still the big names came up with the goals and the top line nailed the final goal at even strength.

Dallas goal #2. Goligoski kept the puck in at the line and passed it over to Ryder. He took a few strides toward the net and ripped a wrister. You can see Niemi was off his angle a little, providing just enough space for Ryder to Niemi's right. 

Power play- It didn’t start off too well, but they made up for it later. They couldn’t score on 1:02 of 5-on-3 play in the first, but they created lots of chances and took a handful of shots. The power play didn’t really struggle getting the zone or getting set up this game. It was more about finishing their chances and burying the puck, but some of that can be credited to Niemi’s stellar play. The focus of attention on the power play during the Stars practice paid off. You could tell they were more organized and comfortable with the positioning and passing. And best of all, they took way more shots than we typically have seen this season.

Dallas goal #1: Aggressive forechecking led to a turn over. Eriksson collected the puck behind the net, passed to to Benn along the red line to Niemi's left. He centered it to Jagr who re-directed it in.

The Bad:

Amount of penalties- simple and straight forward, their PK bailed them out. Sharks had 7 power plays and there was lots of 4-on-4 time this game. Luckily, the Sharks have been struggling on the PP recently and Stars PK has been strong so it worked out this game. Yes, lots of the calls were questionable and you could see it on the players’ faces on their way to the box, but still can’t use that as an excuse.

Faceoffs- Stars have been struggling here recently. Not that they were dominated by the Sharks but the centers pulled up nearly even all the way down the lineup. Gotta get some more wins on the draw or at least tie up the opposing center rather than losing outright. Benn won 7 of 15, Roy won 6 of 14, Eakin won 9 of 18, Fiddler won 8 of 16.

Lines seen tonight:

Morrow-Benn-Jagr

Smith-Roy-Eriksson

Roussel-Eakin-Ryder

Nystrom-Fiddler-Garbutt

Dillon-Robidas

Rome-Goligoski

Benn- Larsen

PP- Eriksson-Jagr-Benn-Ryder-Robidas

PP- Eriksson-Jagr-Benn-Ryder-Roy (5-on-3)

PP- Eakin-Smith-Morrow-Goligoski-Robidas

PK- Fiddler-Nystrom-Dillon-Robidas

PK- Eriksson-Eakin-Larsen-Goligoski

PK- Garbutt-Roussel-(combo of both defensive pairings above)

PK- Eriksson-Roy-Larsen-Goligoski

PK- Eakin-Garbutt-Benn-Goligoski

Notable Notes:

Aaron Rome and Philip Larsen left the game with injuries and did not return.

Matt Fraser was a healthy scratch again. I really want to see this kid play with the big club again.

Morrow was announced as a second member of the Stars' 20th Anniversary Team

Morrow responding to the fans' standing ovation in honor of him getting on the Stars' 20th Anniversary team.

A close call early in the first period. Rome with a big clearing save here.

Another close call when the puck bounced off the boards behind the net and came back out in front. Larsen tried to glove it down, but it hit off of him, off Nilstorp's leg and just wide of the net.

A great save by Nilstorp on Thornton.

Thornton's momentum carried him into Nilstorp and out of the net. The Sharks scored but it was waved off due to goalie interference.

Larsen left the game with an injury in the third. A typical play turned ugly. Wengels was skating into the zone, Larsen was covering him close. Wengels lost his footing as he headed behind the net and Larsen was taken down by the momentum. You can Larsen went pretty much head first into the boards. 

Fighting Off Sharks. Dallas Stars Game 18: 3-1 Win Against the San Jose Sharks

Getty Images

The Dallas Stars ended their 3-game home stand with a 3-1 win against the San Jose Sharks Saturday night.

Christopher Nilstorp was stellar in net as he stopped 31 of the 32 shots he faced en route to his first NHL victory. All well-rounded effort throughout the lineup aided in the Stars win. Jaromir Jagr, Michael Ryder and Jamie Benn scored goals for the Stars and Benn recorded a Gordie Howe hat trick.

Benn dropped the gloves and exchanged punched with San Jose captain Joe Thornton 8:21 into the second period. The fight seemed to elevate an already fast-paced, hard-hitting game into playoff intensity level.

The Stars fed off of the momentum and used it to their advantage on the power play.Benn assisted on the game’s first goal when he made a centering feed to Jagr in front of the crease on a power play with 58 seconds left in the second period.

Ryder opened the 3^rd period with an early power play goal of his own. Goligoski held the puck in at the blue line and dished the puck to his right to Ryder. He took a few strides toward the high slot and ripped a wrist shot into the top left corner of the net.

Nearly two minutes later the Sharks were on the power play with a faceoff to the right of Nilstorp. Thornton pointed Patrick Marleau where he wanted him to set up. Thornton then won the faceoff directly to Marleau who simply collected the puck and wristed it past Nilstorp.

Benn sealed the game when he ripped a wrist shot near the top of the circles that went through a lot of bodies and past Antti Niemi with 2:11 left in regulation.

The Stars practice on the power play paid off as they ended the night 2-for-6. The penalty kill was strong again as they ended the night 6-for-7.

The Stars travel to Nashville to face the Predators Monday night, followed by a game in Columbus on Tuesday.

Dallas Stars Game 17: The Good and the Bad

Getty Images

Dallas Stars 4-3 loss vs Vancouver Canucks

Shots: Dallas 25, Vancouver 22

PP: Dallas 0-5, Vancouver 1-5

The Good:

Cristopher Nilstorp- He didn’t dominate and he didn’t get the W, but Nilstorp did alright in net. The score shows four goals against, but he was hung out to dry or screened hard on three of them. The one to blame him for would be Bieksa’s back-hander during the 4-on-4. More than just making huge saves, he hung on to shots swallowing up rebounds on several dangerous chances. His biggest save came about two and a half minutes into the second period when Jordie Benn turned the puck over in his own zone and left Nilstorp to fend for himself in a 1-on-1.

Nilstorp's awesome new helmet. Razor said his nickname is Raptor so that helps makes sense of this design.

Vancouver goal #1: Burrows made a habit of standing in front of Nilstorp throughout the game. He provided a slight screen before he deflected Edler's shot from the point in.

Vancouver goal #3: Roussel blocked Garrison's initial slap shot from the point and he stuggled to get off the ice. a little open ice allowed Garrison to recollect the puck and rip it again, this time with Higgins screening Nilstorp.

Vancouver goal #4: Burrows and Henrik skated in 2-on-1 against Goligoski. He failed to block the intial pass from Sedin to Burrows then he chased Burrows instead of covering the pass back to Sedin and Rome didn't hustle to get back, he instead was caught watching. 

Jordie Benn- For his first game back with the big club, he played a pretty solid game. Take away the turnover early in the second and he played well. Especially on the PK, he anticipated passes, intercepted them and throughout the game he did a good job of making safe, smart passes clears out of the zone.

Forecheck- Yet again, the Stars’ forecheck was very strong. On Morrow’s goal, the Stars lost the faceoff to Schneider’s left, but Morrow went in hard behind the net. He pursued Kesler so that when Kesler coughed it up, Morrow was right there to stuff it home. Throughout the game the Stars forced the Canucks into turnovers (mostly near the blue line) and panic clears out of the zone, both of which led to good scoring chances.

Brenden Dillon- Just like Kari Lehtonen, his name belongs in this category every night, and tonight he yet again stood out. Just wanted to make a quick point that he really stood out to me on two opportunities Vancouver’s top line created in the middle of the first period. A turnover created a 2-on-1, Dillon hustled back and didn’t look at the puck he simply stared down his target, shadowed him to the net and lifted his stick at the perfect time… with has back to the play. Then he hung around the slot, taking out two Canucks and intercepted a cross-ice feed. Both chances came within 15 seconds and both were within 10 feet of the net.

The Bad:

4 on 4- The Stars seemed completely flat on both of the 4-on-4 opportunities in the game. They were outskated throughout and eventually scored on by a defenseman, and one who isn’t known for being quick. With Jagr, Benn, Roy and Eriksson the Stars should be much stronger on 4-on-4’s, especially considering the Stars have quick, puck-moving defensemen that can push up and create off a rush.

Bieksa, yes Bieksa, skated through the Stars, including quick, mobile defensemen Larsen and Goligoski on the 4-on-4. How can you let someone, especially a defender, especially one not known for speed, go right through you like that?

Vancouver goal #2: Bieksa had only Nilstorp in front of him so he shielded Larsen from the puck and backhanded it between Nilstorp's legs.

Final PK- The Jagr picture below sums up the feelings of every Stars player, coach, fan and everyone in between about the last PK that closed out the game. It can be argued that Roy shouldn’t have hooked Booth on his way to the net, but it happened and what’s more surprising is what Dallas did on the PK. You’re down by a goal, on the PK and there are two minutes left, what do you do? You sit back and keep the puck to the outside, making sure no shots go through or do you feverishly attack the puck, push for a short-handed attack and try to get a goal. If the Stars claim they tried to do that, then they were just completely dominated because it sure didn’t look like it. The Stars didn’t touch the puck for 1:58. Let me say that again in another way: The Stars were down by a goal with less than two minutes in regulation and they didn’t touch the puck at all until there were 2 seconds left in the game. They didn’t touch the puck, hold it or even graze it. Canucks simply held it, passed it all over and didn’t even look interested in shooting.

We feel ya, Jagr. Those last two minutes were brutal to watch.

Power Play- 0-for-5. Does that sum it up? Yes, they did have two power plays in which they kept the puck in the Vancouver zone most of the time (once by top unit and once by the second unit). And yes they did take lots of shots, but the Stars don’t get many power plays and with the mix of creative players on both units, they absolutely have to take advantage of their few power play opportunities.

Faceoffs- Vancouver dominated this category, winning  33 of 59 draws. Stars came into this game 24^th in the league in faceoffs and tonight didn’t help. Against a team known for great, patient puck control and the Sedins magical eyes in the backs of their heads, you can’t lose faceoffs, especially in your own zone. Here are the Stars’ results: Benn 7 of 14, Roy 9 of 16, Eakin 5 of 10, Fiddler 2 of 10, everyone else 3 of 6.

Lines seen tonight:

Morrow-Benn-Jagr

Smith-Roy-Eriksson

Roussel-Eakin-Ryder

Nystrom-Fiddler-Garbutt

Dillon-Robidas

Rome-Goligoski

Benn- Larsen

PP- Morrow-Benn-Jagr-Dillon-Robidas

PP- Eriksson-Roy-Ryder-Goligoski-Larsen

PP-Morrow-Benn-Jagr- Benn-Robidas

PK- Fiddler-Nystrom-Dillon-Robidas

PK- Eriksson-Roy-Benn-Goligoski

Notable Notes:

35 seconds in, Benn dangled through all of this to get to the red line to Schneider's left to take a shot finally. 

Dallas goal #1: This was Benn's angle when he scored.

Dallas goal #2: Ryder collected the puck on a broken play, took it to his backhand and simply slipped it through everyone and in. 

Dallas goal #3: Stars lost the faceoff, Morrow pursued the puck hard. Kesler overskated the puck in front of Schneider and Morrow was there to bury it.

This was the penalty called on Smith for interference that led to Vancouver's first goal. How this is interference is beyond me. They were both looking at the puck, both took part in the slight collision.

Scary moment when Bieksa stuck his knee out in an attempt to hit Eriksson. Eriksson went down and needed help off the ice, but he returned for his next shift.

Stars did well poking the puck at the blue line throughout the night.

Eriksson had a huge chance on this breakaway, but instead of shooting he passed it over to Dillon, who missed. 

Roussel and Kassian fought, Roussel started out strong, landing two big punched but Kassian got the win.

More of the night's lone fight. 

Schneider robbed Benn on this chance in tight on a power play. 

Tough moment for Roussel after he blocked Garrison's shot in the 3rd. He struggled to stand and stumbled getting to the bench. He was back on the ice later in the period and seemed to be fine. 

Marty Turco was announced as the first member of the Dallas Stars' 20th Anniversary Team.

In celebration of him being the first of the 20th Anniversary Team, Turco dropped the ceremonial opening faceoff. (Getty Images)

Canuck'd Up. Dallas Stars Game 17: 4-3 Loss Against the Vancouver Canucks

Getty Images

The Vancouver Canucks got their two points back.

Last week, the Dallas Stars ripped two points out of Vancouver’s grasp with a furious comeback in the third period. The Canucks returned the favor Thursday night by scoring two goals in two minutes early in the third period and holding off the Stars to win 4-3.

The Stars opening the scoring 35 seconds into the game when Jamie Benn dangled his way through four Canucks and took a bad-angle shot from along the red line the hit off the post and past Corey Schneider. Nearly eight minutes later, Reilly Smith was called for a questionable interference penalty at center ice and Alex Burrows deflected in an Alex Edler shot from the point.

Michael Ryder scored on a slick backhand shot 2:39 into the second period, but Vancouver tied the game again when Kevin Bieksa scored his own backhand goal during a 4-on-4 7:05 into the second. The Stars had led twice on early-period goals and had twice gone into the dressing room at intermission tied.

Vancouver came out firing in the third period. Antoine Roussel jetted across the defensive zone and laid out to block a shot by Jason Garrison slap shot. The block hurt Roussel who stumbled and struggled to get up as he headed straight to the bench. Garrison had recollected the puck and, with the ice a little more open due to Roussel’s injury, rips another slap shot that zipped past a screened Cristopher Nilstorp.

Nilstorp started in net due to Kari Lehtonen’s groin injury and Richard Bachman’s recent struggles. He stopped 18 of the 22 shots he faced and looked more comfortable in net than Schneider, but Nilstorp received less defensive help. The puck was deflected from in close on the first goal, Bieksa flew through the Stars for a breakaway on the second, Nilstorp was screened on the third and the final Vancouver goal was scored on a 2-on-1 where Alex Goligoski played the shot instead of the pass as defensemen are usually assigned to do.

The Stars have now lost both their first two games of this home stand 4-3. They wrap up this home stand on Saturday night when they host the division-rival San Jose Sharks. 

Dallas Stars Game 16: The Good and the Bad

Getty Images

Dallas Stars 4-3 loss to Calgary Flames

Shots: Dallas 30, Calgary 26

PP: Dallas 0-3, Calgary 1-5

The Good:

Penalty Kill- Other than the ugly Cammalleri goal, the penalty kill was perfect. They were strong on blocking shots and clearing the puck. They did well along the boards and several rushes and chances short-handed. They seemed to make a real effort to fix their problem of allowing cross-ice passes and it showed. Can’t really blame the unit on Cammalleri’s goal. It was coming off the end of a 5-on-3 and was really a shot that Bachman should’ve had.

Calgary goal #1: As the 5-on-3 expired Cammalleri took a shot from a bad angle, it hit off Bachman and went in.

Reilly Smith- His move to the top 6 has really paid off. He has elevated his levels of energy and puck control. He’s been creating many more opportunities and seems to be in the right place more often in the offensive zone. His goal in the second period displayed his offensive intuition, patience and skill. It may have seemed like a simple goal, but on his second attempt, to drag the puck back a little, get leverage on the stick and roof wit with a backhand shot through the crowd was really impressive.

Dallas goal #2: Stars skated in 3-on-2. Roy's shot created a rebound, Smith shot it but Macdonald stopped that. Smith got the second rebound, took it to his backhand and roofed it.

Depth scoring- It’s not good to have your top line (or two) come up empty when you need them, especially in games like this, but to have goals from guys like Roussel, Smith and Garbutt is terrific for the team. If the Stars can find a way to mesh the success of the top 6 and bottom 6 in terms of production, they could very well make the playoffs. Right now it seems like it’s either top 6 or bottom 6 is producing in each game. It’s good to know the grinders, the rookies and anyone else making the bottom 6 can contribute and the chart below (which was from FSSW’s Stars Live after the game) is quite surprising.

Dallas goal #1: Eakin's wrister from a distance was deflected by Roussel out in front.

Dallas goal #3: Garbut dropped the puck for Robidas as they entered the zone. Robidas shot it, rebound was popped in by Garbutt as he crashed the net.

The Bad:

Alex Goligoski- He frustrated me the whole night. He was a minus 2 but felt like a minus 10. He struggled controlling the puck. He didn’t pinch when needed. He failed to keep the puck in the offensive zone several times. And most of all he struggled defensively. Players kept skating by him, passing were going right through him and he was almost non-existent when it came to puck battles.

Power Play- it picked up on the final power play opportunity, but the first two were dreadful. They went back to the way of not being able to enter the zone and when they did, they couldn’t keep it there. There were moments when the Flames counter-attacked and made me forget the Stars even had the man advantage.

Depth scoring (by opponent)- When you give up three first-of-the-season goals to your opponent in the same night…. You know there’s a problem. They gave up goals throughout the Flames lineup and they were all ugly. If the opponent’s top line takes advantage of your defending, it is kind of expected. But when a 4^th liner and a 3^rd liner get their first goals of the season by simply attacking the puck while your defenders watch or scramble to get in position, it’s not good at all.

Calgary goal #2: wide open to pop in the rebound, Stars saw too much of this happen. Look at where Goligoski is on this play (hint: bottom left corner)

Calgary goal #3: Stempniak's feed in front to an open Stajan in the slot. look at how many Stars are at/below the goal line. Terrible coverage. 

Calgary goal #4: Bachman lost the puck once it hit the traffic out in front. By the time he saw Begin had the puck off to the side, he couldn't get in position so he threw his right pad out hoping to stop it.

Difference in periods- Simply put, there is way too much of a highs-and-lows differential in periods. The Stars had a bad first period, then the best second period of the season and then a terrible period. Arguably the first half of the third could be considered some of the worst we’ve seen this season, only to be compared to what the Flames did to the Stars last Wednesday. To be successful, there simply has to be more consistency, a more level outcome.

Lines seen tonight:

Morrow-Benn-Jagr

Smith-Roy-Eriksson

Roussel-Eakin-Ryder

Nystrom-Fiddler-Garbutt

Rome-Daley

Dillon-Robidas

Goligoski- Larsen

PP- Morrow-Benn-Jagr-Daley-Robidas

PP- Eriksson-Roy-Ryder-Goligoski-Larsen

PK- Fiddler-Nystrom-Daley-Rome

PK- Eriksson-Roy-Robidas-Goligoski

Notable Notes:

• Trevor Daley left the game in the second period with an upper body injury and didn’t return. 

Eriksson got a penalty. Yep. Capture it because it doesn't happen often. 

Maybe it's just me, but i really didn't like this move by Begin in the fight. I know you want to take your opponent to the ice at the end of the fight, but this just struck a nerve with me. He could've seriously injured Garbutt in this slam. 

Doused In Flames: Dallas Stars Game 16: 4-3 Loss Against the Calgary Flames

Getty Images

The Dallas Stars had a two-goal lead heading into the third period, but it wasn’t enough as the Calgary Flames rallied and handed the Stars a 4-3 loss to kick off their three-game home stand Sunday night.

The Stars were sluggish and sloppy in the first period. They took three penalties, not including a fighting major to Ryan Garbutt, and they were outshot 8-4. Calgary’s Mike Cammalleri opened the scoring with a power play goal from a tough angle that bounced off of Richard Bachman and into the net with 8:11 left in the first period.

The Stars seemed to flip a switch in the intermission and they had arguably their best period of the season. Less than two minutes into the second period, Cody Eakin threw the puck on net from near the blue line and Antoine Roussel tipped it in as he stood on the edge of the crease. Less than a minute later Reilly Smith backhanded a rebound top shelf past Calgary goalie Joey Macdonald.

With 4:37 left in the period, Stephane Robidas and Garbutt skated into the Calgary zone. Garbutt made a drop pass for Robidas as they entered the zone. Robidas took the shot from the wing and Macdonald stopped it, but Garbutt put in the rebound as he crashed the net.

The Stars outshot the Flames 22-12 in the period and headed into the third with a 3-1 lead.

Bachman started in goal for the Stars since Kari Lehtonen will be out at least a week with a lower body injury. He struggled in net, stopping 22 shots, but he didn’t get much help from his teammates in the third period.  Calgary’s three goals in the final period came on defensive lapses and resulted in three players scoring their first goals of the season.

Only 1:39 into the third period, the Flames began their comeback when Roman Horak was left wide open in front of the net off a rebound. Forty-five seconds later, Matt Stajan netted a centering feed from Lee Stempniak to tie the game. Steve Begin scored the game-winning goal 10:30 into the third period, when Bachman lost sight of a shot from the  point after it hit the traffic in front of the net. Begin fought to get his stick free from Cody Eakin and rifled it past Bachman.

The Stars three-game home stand continues Thursday night against the Vancouver Canucks.