Dallas Stars Game 36: The Good and the Bad

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Dallas Stars 5-2 loss at the Anaheim Ducks

Shots: Dallas 25, Anaheim 27

PP: Dallas 0/0, Anaheim 1/1

The Good:

Can't say they didn't try- The Stars came out working hard, skating hard, hitting hard. They put forth an effort, it was clear the Ducks were simply better. I was a little worried the game would be much uglier and the team might look a little like they lost their hearts, but they stepped up and came out full gallop.

Rome landed the biggest hit of the night early on. It sent a message and set the mood/tempo of the first period.

Young guys showing up- Chiasson, Fraser, MacDermid were plugged into the lineup and I liked what I saw for the most part. I'll go in detail on Chiasson in the next paragraph, but MacDermid did great for being a young enforcer on a new team (minus a fight). MacDermid threw his body around a little, landed a couple of hits, attacked the net significantly three times, and he scored a goal, all in less than 6:40 on the ice. Fraser was on the top line with Benn and Nystrom, but didn't seem to get settled and didn't really display his offensive prowess. He ended with a hit, a block and a -1 in little over 14 minutes of ice time.

MacDermid, our new enforcer.

MacDermid's biggest hit of the night sent Etem flat to the ice.

Dallas goal #2- Roussel protects puck behind the net, but eventually loses it. Garbutt jumps on the loose puck and passes to MacDermid who snaps it five-hole on Fasth.

Alex Chiasson- Out of the new young guys in the lineup, I liked Chiasson's performance the most. Yes, he didn't register a point, but his play overall was the most solid and consistent. He completed all of his checks, he used his big frame to protect the puck and win battles along the boards. He attacked the net, was in position for a few good chances. He crashed the net, but he has his back turned several times and ended up getting in the way of two of his teammates' shots. He ended the game with two shots, three hits and an even plus/minus in 13:38 in ice time.

Looks like a bright future for Chiasson. 

Eriksson at center- Eriksson wasn't great or horrible, it was just noticeable that he was struggling a little with the position and learning it on the fly. Moving him to center means Eriksson will have more responsibility with and without the puck in all three zones. He is usually sharp defensively, but tonight he was seen more often down low in the zone, where he is supposed to be. A few times, I spotted him floating high in the zone or along the blue line. The times he did cover low or in the slot, he was pretty good. He did pretty well in the faceoff circle too. He won 6 of the 12 draws he took.

This was my favorite defensive play by Eriksson all game. It was a little play that may have gone unnoticed, but his effort and positioning eliminated a tremendous scoring chance the Stars have been giving up a lot of recently.

The Bad:

Can't stop Getzlaf- Just like Monday night, Getzlaf dominated the Stars again. He had two assists Monday night and added another two assists along with a goal Wednesday night. The Stars struggled to keep up with the top line in general, but even more so against Getzlaf specifically. It was critical to keep Robidas out against him, but when Robidas or his new defensive partner Daley weren't out there, Getzlaf's dominance was very evident.

Anaheim goal #1- Getzlaf is the extra attacker on a delayed penalty. He sends in a pass from the boards and Dvorak is left wide open in the slot to put it into the net.

A closer image of Dvorak scoring the opening goal.

Anaheim goal#2- Getzlaf attempts a pass through the slot, but Dillon breaks it up. He is unable to control the puck and Selanne skates in a wrists it past Lehtonen.

Anaheim goal #4- Perry stretches to get onside, gets the puck and sends a no look pass behind him to a streaking Getzlaf. Getzlaf roofs a backhand shot past Lehtonen.

Defense stayed the same, on paper and ice- Nothing different from what we have been used to seeing. Two Ducks were wide open in front of the net on the first goal. Defensive errors and turnovers in the Dallas zone led to chances and goals yet again. In addition, the new pairings had some struggles. What really bothered me was seeing Dillon struggle this game. He had instances where he couldn't clear the zone, his passes weren't crisp and when he tried to join or create a rush he lost the puck or lost steam. Goligoski did alright offensively, just wish he hit the net more. Defensively, he struggled. He did make a really good defensive play in the second period to eliminate a breakaway without taking a penalty.

Anaheim goal #3- Five players were involved in a scrum along the boards behind the net. The Ducks were outnumbered but ended up with the puck. Palmeiri gathered the puck near the corner, took it to the crease and buried it in the back of the net.

Another angle of the Palmeiri goal. Somehow the Ducks won the scrum and he took the puck to the net with all those Stars around.

Anaheim goal #5- Cogliano bounces in an empty netter from between the blue line and center ice.

Lines seen tonight:

Nystrom-Benn-Cole

Whitney -Eriksson-Fraser

Roussel-Eakin-Chiasson

MacDermid-Fiddler-Garbutt

Daley-Robidas

Dillon-Goligoski

Rome-Larsen

PK-Fiddler-Nystrom- Dillon-Robidas

Notable Notes:

• Faceoffs- Benn won 5 of 13, Eriksson won 6 of 12, Eakin won 7 of 13, Fiddler won 11 of 19.

Dallas goal #1- Fiddler centers a pass for Cole who buries it as he crashes the net.

A really good save by Lehtonen (and Robidas) in the first on a dangerous wrap around attmept.

Another great save by Lehtonen, this one on Getzlaf after he brushed off Goligoski.

In case you missed it, here's what the Stars received in their recent trades.

Quacked and Broken. Dallas Stars Game 36: 5-2 Loss at the Anaheim Ducks

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A new look, new philosophy Dallas Stars team ran into the same problems in a 5-2 loss to the Anaheim Ducks Wednesday night. 

With Jaromir Jagr, Derek Roy and Tomas Vincour traded away the day before the deadline, the Stars had a few new players in the lineup Wednesday night. Alex Chiasson and Lane MacDermid made their Stars debut and Matt Fraser was called back up for the game. Ryan Garbutt and Vernon Fiddler both returned from injuries to boost the bottom six of the lineup. 

Kari Lehtonen made 22 saves on 26 shots, but the Ducks were too much for the young Stars to overcome. Anaheim opened the scoring 11:44 into the first period. A delayed penalty on Loui Eriksson allowed Ryan Getzlaf to jump on the ice as the extra attacker. He centered the puck from the left wing boards and Radek Dvorak was left open in the slot to put it past Lehtonen. 

Getzlaf earned another assist 11:33 into the second period to put the Ducks up 2-0. During the only power play of the night, he attempted a pass through the slot. It was broken up by Brenden Dillon, but Dillon couldn't control it and Teemu Selanne rifled it into the net.

Anaheim took a 3-0 lead nearly five minutes later when Kyle Palmeiri took the puck out of a five-player scrum behind the Stars' net, crashed the crease and stuffed it home.

The Stars ended the shutout bid 2:48 into the third period when Erik Cole buried a feed from Vernon Fiddler behind the Anaheim net. Getzlaf recorded his third point of the night when he scored on a backhand shot 10:30 into the third period. 

Newly acquired Lane MacDermid scored his first NHL goal to pull the Stars within two with less than 90 seconds left in regulation. Garbutt stole the puck deep in the Anaheim zone before he passed it to MacDermid, who snapped it between Viktor Fasth's legs from the right circle.

Andrew Cogliano sealed the game with an empty net goal near center ice with about four seconds left.

The Stars will stay in Anaheim to face the Ducks for the third time this week Friday night.

Dallas Stars Game 35: The Good and the Bad

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Dallas Stars lose 4-0 to the Anaheim Ducks

Shots: Dallas 26, Anaheim 30

PP: Dallas 0/4, Anaheim 1/2

The Good:

Nothing deserves to go here. The Stars didn't come out flat, but they sure flatlined after getting scored on. They looked interested in winning the game the first half of the first period and the first couple of minutes of the third period. Very few players seemed to play hard the whole 60 minutes, and very few seemed to care. There was a lot of head hanging, shoulder slumping and blank stares happening throughout the game. Jagr was shown getting to the bench in the last minute of the game and he looked upset. He sat next to Nystrom and they talked. Nystrom shrugged his shoulders and seemed to say something along the lines of him not knowing what else to do or what is going on. That was pretty much the general feeling of many people watching the game.

The Bad:

Terrible two's- The Stars continue their ineptitude in the middle frame. Still not sure what happens to them, something mental, or simply not making adjustments, but the Stars tend to get dominated in the second. They  were manhandled in their own zone by the Ducks in these 20 minutes. They outshot Anaheim 14-10, but the score ended up 3-0 in favor of the Ducks. The goals were scored due to a combination of problems the Stars have been struggling with throughout this season. Here's what I saw on the goals.

Anaheim goal #1- On the power play, the Stars were all caught staring at Getzlaf along the left wing boards. He sent a cross-ice pass to a completely wide open Ryan. He set his target and rifled a wrist shot short side past Lehtonen. Look at how much room Ryan has to get the puck, settle, take a peak and shoot.

A better shot of Ryan's goal just inside the post.

Anaheim goal #2- Getzlaf sent an innocent-looking shot toward the net from near the blue line. It bounced off Lehtonen's right pad and Perry popped it in over Lehtonen's right shoulder. Looking at this image, you can see Robidas didn't tie up Perry instead he tried to get to the puck first, but Perry beat him to it, giving him a free shot on net.

Anaheim goal #3- Beleskey attempted a wrap around shot from behind the net. The rebound bounced off Lehtonen out front. All five Stars were in front of the goal, on top of the puck, yet none of them could clear it or secure it. Again, they were caught staring at the puck and Beleskey was able to bury his own rebound.

Another view of all the Stars in position, but just staring and getting beaten to the puck.

Power play- 0-for-4 for a team that got the penalties at good moments to take the lead or mount a comeback in the game. The first power play unit looked good their first time out. They moved the puck well, got good looks on net, kept the puck in the Ducks' zone. But after that, it just seemed to fall apart. It got to the point where the Ducks had a 2-on-1 short-handed opportunity that Lehtonen bailed the team out of.

Turnovers, clearing the front of the net, exiting the zone- these are all old problems that keep coming up, and this game was no different. It was cringe-worthy watching the Stars try to get out of the zone. Body language and effort dwindled after they were scored on. Two goals came on simple plays that would've been eliminated by hustling to the puck and clearing it or tying up an opponent in front of the net.

Lines seen tonight:

Nystrom-Benn-Jagr

Whitney-Eakin-Eriksson

Smith-Roy-Cole

Wathier-Roussel-Vincour

Dillon-Robidas

Goligoski-Daley

Rome-Larsen

PP-Eriksson-Benn-Jagr-Whitney-Robidas

PP-Eakin-Roy-Cole-Goligoski-Daley

PK-Eakin-Cole-Dillon- Robidas

PK-Nystrom-Eriksson-Daley-Goligoski

Notable Notes:

• Faceoffs-  Benn won 12 of 23, Roy won 5 of 11, Eakin won 8 of 15, Roussel won 3 of 6.

Benn had a great chance early in the game. 

Fasth got a piece of the puck with his blocker. Just enough for the save.

A huge hit by Dillon early in the game.

A great chance by Eriksson stopped by Fasth.

Eriksson rang a shot off the post in the first period. It bounced off the post to Fasth's right and cleared out on the left.

Another set up by Jagr from behind the net, Nystrom shot it just wide.

Whitney was wrongfully called offsides on this play. He was in on a breakaway, if the whistle didn't blow the play dead. 

A really good chance late for Whitney on the power play, but again stopped by Fasth.

Wathier didn't seem to do much. He ended with five hits. 

Stu Barnes was honored before the game for being a member of the Stars' 20th Anniversary team.

Stu's surprised reaction to the ovation by the fans cracked me up.

Ceremonial pre-game faceoff.

STUUUUUUUUUUUU!!

Home Cooked. Dallas Stars Game 35: 4-0 Loss to the Anaheim Ducks

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The Dallas Stars concluded their longest homestand of the season and their first of three games in a row against the Anaheim Ducks with a silent 3-0 loss Monday night.

The Stars ended their homestand with a 2-3 record and now face three important games against the Ducks this week.

Again, the Stars fell victim to their usual second period mistakes as Anaheim scored three goals in five minutes in the middle frame. Bobby Ryan opened the scoring for Anaheim on the power play 10:13 into the second period. Ryan Getzlaf held the puck along the left wing half boards and lulled the Stars into leaving Ryan wide open at the opposite side of the zone. Ryan settled the pass and rifled a wrist shot just inside the post to Kari Lehtonen’s right.

Corey Perry scored the second goal of the game 12:52 into the second period on a rebound attempt in front of Lehtonen. Getzlaf took a shot from the point that bounced off Lehtonen’s right leg pad. Stephane Robidas was unable to tie up Perry or beat him to the puck, and Perry lifted the puck over Lehtonen’s right shoulder for the goal.

Matt Beleskey scored Anaheim’s third goal 15:02 into the second period. He attempted a wrap around shot from behind the Dallas goal. Lehtonen saved the initial attempt, but the rebound slid out in front of the net. All six Stars were caught staring at the puck as Beleskey skated in between all of them and backhanded the puck into the net for a 3-0 lead.

Teemu Selanne scored an empty net goal with 28 seconds left to seal the deal. Lehtonen stopped 26 of the 29 shots he faced, but the Stars couldn’t solve Anaheim goalie Viktor Fasth on any of their 26 shots.

The Stars will fly to California to face the Ducks Wednesday night. 

Dallas Stars Game 34: The Good and the Bad

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Dallas Stars lose to the Los Angeles Kings 3-2

Shots: Dallas 15, Los Angeles 40

PP: Dallas 1/2, Los Angeles 0/1

The Good:

Kari Lehtonen- He made 12 saves in the first and 18 in the second. So through two periods he stopped as many shots as would have in a full, busy game. The 29 shots he stopped weren’t easy, or mostly from a distance or just thrown at the net. The Kings had quality chances from the slot, on top of the crease and through a crowd from the point. Lehtonen gave up a few more rebounds than we’re used to seeing, but his teammates helped safely dispose of those. Without Lehtonen, it’s scary to imagine what the score would’ve been just through the first period.

This was a great save on Richardson in tight.

Lehtonen's best glove save of the night in my opinion. Doughty shot it through a crowd, Lehtonen tracked it the whole way and flashed the leather.

Jamie Benn- He did really well creating scoring chances, finishing his checks and leading rushes up ice. He and Jagr seemed to be the two Stars creative the most offensive opportunities. He ended up with a goal, two shots, and seven hits but his presence was felt more than that.

Benn's goal started on a great pass from Goligoski blue line to blue line. It hit Benn in stride and put him in perfect position for his breakaway. 

Dallas goal #1- Benn took the Goligoski pass, rushed in on the breakaway, deked right and tucked the puck between Bernier's legs for the goal. 

The Bad:

Offensively anemic- Up until the 3^rd period, and you can even say halfway through the third period, the Stars offense looked incredibly weak and ineffective against the Kings. They could barely get the puck across the blue line, and when they did, it was turned over and brought back out of the zone and down to the other end of the ice. The Stars really cranked it up late in the third, but by then it was too late. The Kings only had to focus on defense by then. The Stars ended with 15 shots on goal. 15!!! Seven of them came in the third period. That's just embarrassing... no other way to put it. And it's not like the Kings blocked a lot of shots. Both teams only blocked 16 shots each. Just embarrassing.

Overcoming the back-check- In addition to the above paragraph, the Stars really struggled to get past the Kings’ back-checking. They kept trying to set up a pass to a trailing player or make a little pass back, but a Kings forward seemed to always end up tying up a stick, breaking up the pass or completely intercept it.

Turnovers in own zone/inability to clear- Again, same old story. Same old problems, same old results. The Stars couldn’t move the puck up ice. They couldn’t make solid passes along the boards to get out. And when they passed it up the middle it was broken up or stolen. A bad turnover inside the blue line by Vincour led directly to the Kings’ second goal. The Stars go on stretches where they clean up this problem, but then it pokes its ugly head around the corner every now and then and results in a loss for the Stars.

The Stars won a faceoff in their zone, but the Kings agressively attacked the puck. They forced a turnover in the corner and...

Los Angeles goal #1- Carter got the puck off the turnover and he threw a backhander on net. Lehtonen was screened by the big frame of Penner and the puck fluttered past Lehtonen. 

Los Angeles goal #2- Vincour attempted a behind-the-back pass inside the Stars' zone. Clifford skated in, intercepted the pass, and sent it to Richardson in front of the net.

The final image of Richardson's shot past Lehtonen. The Stars didn't have much of a chance after Vincour's turnover.

Faceoffs- TERRIBLE!!!... (except for Eakin)… Benn won 3 of 11, Roy won 2 of 15, Eakin won 10 of 15, Peterson won 1 of 2.

Lines seen tonight:

Nystrom-Benn-Jagr

Whitney-Eakin-Eriksson

Roussel-Roy-Cole

Smith-Peterson-Vincour

Dillon-Robidas

Goligoski-Daley

Rome-Larsen

PP-Eriksson-Benn-Jagr-Whitney-Robidas

PP-Eakin-Roy-Cole-Goligoski-Daley

PK-Eakin-Cole-Dillon- Robidas

PK-Nystrom-Eriksson-Daley-Goligoski

Notable Notes:

Dallas goal #2- Roy gets the puck in the left corner and passes it up to Goligoski at the top of the left circle who then passed it over to Whitney at the opposite circle. He blasts a shot past Bernier with the help of Nystrom screening the goalie. 

Los Angeles goal #3- The Kings enter the Stars' zone on a rush and Brown sends the puck to a the top of the crease. Williams got in behind the defense, took a shot and then buried his own rebound. Look at the picture and see how the Stars are in a box around Williams. someone needs to be on him, shoulder-to-shoulder, lifting the stick, something.

Goligoski had several seconds to line up a shot between the hash marks. His shot zipped just wide of the post. It was a great chance to tie the game.

My favorite hit of the night. Daley landed an old school hip check on Richardson, sending him flying. 

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.