Sharks Take a Bite Out of Stars' Playoff Hopes. Dallas Stars Game 46: 3-2 Loss at the San Jose Sharks

Getty Images

The Dallas Stars’ playoff hopes took a major hit with a 3-2 loss to the San Jose Sharks Tuesday night.

The Stars had a 2-1 lead late in the third period, but they conceded two goals in 30 seconds to fall to the Sharks.

Kari Lehtonen stood on his head to give the Stars a chance to win. His 34 saves and goals by Loui Eriksson and Antoine Roussel weren’t enough to earn two crucial points in their hunt for the playoffs. The Stars now need to win their last two games of the season in regulation and get help in the form of a regulation losses for Detroit and Columbus in their other games to keep their playoff hopes alive.

A power play goal put San Jose on the board 12:53 into the first period. The Sharks skated into the Dallas zone and Raffi Torres deflected in a centering feed from Scott Gomez for the goal.

Roussel answered for the Stars when he fought his way to the front of the net and buried a rebound off a Cody Eakin shot from the right circle. The goal tied the game 14:32 into the first period.

Seventeen seconds into the second period, Eriksson scored his 12^th goal of the season and gave the Stars a 2-1 lead. During a 5-on-3 power play, Eriksson drove the net and tucked in a rebound off a blast by Alex Goligoski.

The Stars seemed in control of the game, and were holding off the Sharks wave after wave until the final six minutes of the game. Joe Pavelski deflected a shot in from the slot to tie the game at two 14:23 into the third period.

Thirty seconds later, Ray Whitney failed to get the puck out of the zone and Justin Braun took a slap shot from the point. The puck hit someone in the slot and Patrick Marleau sent a behind-the-back pass to a wide open Logan Couture for the goal. 

Dallas will head home and prepare to face the Columbus Blue Jackets Thursday night. 

Dallas Stars game 45: The Good and the Bad

Getty Images

Dallas Stars 4-3 Overtime loss at the Los Angeles Kings

Shots: Dallas 27, Los Angeles 31

PP: Dallas 0/4, Los Angeles 1/6

The Good:

Shot-blocking- If there was anything the Stars did better on defense, it was blocking shots. The official tally was 19, but it felt like more. It seemed that every time the Kings were about to take a shot, someone on the Stars was in front of that player or in front of the goal ready for the block. At least four times this game, Stars players were seen stumbling or slouching after blocking a shot.

Kari Lehtonen- He did give up a bad goal in overtime, but besides that he was strong. He made several huge saves to keep the Stars in the game and kept it from getting out of hand. He made 27 saves on 31 shots, including 10 of 11 in a rambunctious third period.

This was a big save by Lehtonen. He got enough of the puck to send it trickling to the side of the net.

A really good save on a great chance early in the game. You can see near the top of his stick got enough to send the puck wide.

Penalty kill- The PK was outstanding if you take out the Brown goal in the third period. They did well keeping a lot of the shots to the outside or keeping the Kings to one side of the ice. They were strong clearing the puck, maybe the best aspect of all was that the Stars didn’t allow many shots to reach Lehtonen. I counted only four shots on Lehtonen in all six opportunities, one of which was the goal and 13 successful clears. 

Los Angeles goal #3- A shot from the point is kicked out by Lehtonen, but Brown was standing unchecked to the side of the net and buried the rebound.

Another angle of the Brown goal. Robidas has his back to Brown and wasn't able to turn around in time to do anything to stop Brown.

The Bad:

Power play- Not much to add here that I haven’t mentioned before. They were 0-for-4, had good looks, but simply need to shoot more and find a way to make the power play count by scoring a goal. Passing and moving the puck is good, of course, but there were plenty more opportunities for shots. I counted only four shots on goal in their four power plays.

Being overpowered- The Kings are bigger and stronger than the Stars, and they showed it. The third period was a physical, speedy battle, but once the Stars took the lead, the Stars seemed to be overpowered. They entered the zone and were easily pushed off the puck and knocked down to the ice. The Kings finished their checks and had their way with the Stars in the offensive zone. Dallas was outhit 46-32 in the game.

Overtime- I am not sure what happened to them between the third period and overtime, but the Stars looked absolutely horrible in overtime. They were slow on the pucked, made terrible decisions, looked like they were skating in molasses and seemed generally disinterested. Even Lehtonen seemed out of it. He was swimming around in net more than usual, and he was out of position and slow to react much more than we are used to seeing. 

Los Angeles goal #4- Simple goal that the Stars want to have back. Richards skated up the side boards and threw the puck at the net. It hit off Carter's right shoulder and went into the net.

Faceoffs- Terrible! Benn won 3 of 15, Eakin won 5 of 17, Fiddler won 5 of 16, Wandell lost both of his faceoffs and Eriksson, Cole and Roussel combined to win 0 of 5 draws.

Lines seen tonight:

Whitney-Benn-Eriksson

Garbutt-Eakin-Smith

Nystrom-Fiddler-Cole

Roussel-Wandell-MacDermid

Dillon-Goligoski

Daley-Robidas

Rome-Larsen

PP- Eriksson-Benn-Whitney-Goligoski-Robidas

PP- Eriksson-Benn-Whitney-Cole-Robidas

PP- Nystrom-Fiddler-Cole-Daley-Larsen

PP- Nystrom-Fiddler-Cole-Whitney-Daley

PK-Fiddler-Nystrom-Goligoski-Dillon

PK- Roussel-Cole-Rome-Larsen

PK- Eakin-Cole-Goligoski-Rome

PK- Eriksson-Roussel-Daley-Robidas

Notable Notes:

Dallas goal #1- Benn passed it to Whitney at the blue line. His slap shot hits off a Kings player and bounces through the slot. Eriksson was off to the side of the net and he swung at the bouncing puck. Quick was out of position and Eriksson managed to put the puck by him.

Dallas goal #2- A shot from the point gets deflected by Garbutt in the slot. His deflection seemed to be a result of a high stick, but the refs allowed the goal. The deflection sent the puck on net, forcing Quick to make a pad save. Roussel was driving the net and had an easy backhand shot into a gaping net.

Dallas goal #3- The Stars managed a few shots in a row on Quick and quick puck movement resulted in Eakin making a centering pass to Goligoski in front of the net. Quick was out of position and dove back in net, but wasn't able to make the save.

Los Angeles goal #1- The Stars outnumbered the Kings in a scrum along the boards, but the Kings ended up with the puck. Penner took it around behind the net and passed it to Richards to the left of Lehtonen. Richards lifted a backhand shot top shelf over Lehtonen.

A better angle of the Richards goal.

Los Angeles goal #2- Williams won a race to the puck in the left corner. Dillon lost his stick, allowing Williams to make a little pass to Kopitar behind the net. Kopitar makes a backhand pass to Brown along the boards. He skated into the right circle and wrists the puck through a crowd and into the net.

This was the scene of a controversial disallowed goal by the Kings. The puck was sent on net from the boards right to the top of the crease. Lehtonen gloved the puck, but Rome fell into Lehtonen and the puck trickled in. The goal was waved off immediately by the ref.

A closer shot of the disallowed goal. Lewis seemed to have pushed Rome into Lehtonen, but replays showed that it was more of Rome falling into him.

Best defensive save of the night. Lehtonen stopped a shot, but the puck bounced over him and landed near the goal line. Daley swooped in and swiped the puck out to safety with Brown on the doorstep.

Brown might be suspended for his cheap, dirty hit on Roussel. Roussel progressed through the neutral zone and passed to his left. Well after the pass, Brown skated in near the blue line and shoulder Roussel's head. Roussel was knocked flat on the ice, but he returned later in the game.  

One of Quick's great saves. Daley centered the puck for Whitney, who deflected the puck on net. Quick kicked out his left pad for the save.

Quick aggressive poke check stopped Fiddler from a great chance in close.

Eriksson received a pass near the top of the crease, but instead of redirecting it into the net, he tried to control it and move to the opposite post. He had Quick sprawling out of position, but Eriksson just missed the outside of the post.

Another great chance for Eriksson in tight on Quick.

Stars Fall to the Kings. Dallas Stars Game 45: 4-3 Overtime Loss at the Los Angeles Kings

Getty Images

The Dallas Stars failed to gain any ground in the playoff race with a tough 4-3 loss in overtime to the Los Angeles Kings Sunday night.

The Kings jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the second period. The Stars roared back to take a 3-2 lead in the third period before falling to the Kings on a goal by Jeff Carter in overtime.

Mike Richards opened the scoring for the Kings 5:06 into the first period. Dustin Penner won the puck out of a scrum along the boards and took the puck behind the net. He passed it to Richards, who was off to the side of the goal. Richards controlled the puck and lifted a backhand shot over Lehtonen’s left shoulder.

Dustin Brown gave the Kings a 2-0 lead 4:12 into the second period when his wrist shot from the right circle found its way through a crowd and past Kari Lehtonen. Twenty seconds later, Loui Eriksson put the Stars on the board. Ray Whitney’s slap shot from the blue line was deflected and the puck bounced through the slot. Eriksson swung at the puck and it went in past a sprawling Jonathan Quick.

Dallas tied the game 14:54 into the second period on a goal by Antoine Roussel. Alex Goligoski’s shot from the blue line was deflected by Ryan Garbutt in the slot. Quick made the intial save, but Roussel was crashing the net and scored on the rebound.

Goligoski gave the Stars a 3-2 lead 43 seconds into the third period. A series of shots and passes moved the puck around the Kings’ net. Quick sprawled out of the net, and Eakin made a centering pass to Goligoski. He quickly shot the puck in as Quick was diving back into position.

Brown scored his second goal of the game on a power play 2:59 into the third period. Jeff Carter’s shot from the slot was kicked out by Lehtonen, but Brown was left alone to the side of the net and buried the rebound.

The Kings dominated overtime and eventually scored when Richards threw a puck in off Carter’s right shoulder 4:08 into the extra frame. Lehtonen ended the night with 27 saves on 31 shots. The Stars ended the night 0-for-4 on the power play and 5-for-6 on the penalty kill.

The Stars will continue their playoff push at the San Jose Sharks Tuesday night. 

Dallas Stars Game 44: The Good and the Bad

Getty Images

Dallas Stars 2-1 loss at the St. Louis Blues

Shots: Dallas 22, St. Louis 20

PP: Dallas 0/2, St. Louis 1/3

The Good:

Kari Lehtonen- He gave the Stars a chance, and that’s what they needed. They just failed to capitalize. If you look at the goals the Stars gave up this game, you can argue that they weren’t on him. Or at least that other players/factors carried more blame than him. He only faced 20 shots, but his 18 saves were solid and he took care of his rebounds. Again, he gave his team a chance to win, and they couldn’t repay him for his efforts at the other end.

Faceoffs- Benn won 8 of 19, Eakin won 4 of 7, Fiddler won 10 of 19, Wandell won 3 of 5, Cole won 3 of 4 and Roussel won his only faceoff taken.

The Bad:

Terrible goals against- The first goal for the Blues was on a terrible PK by the Stars. A scrum behind the Stars’ net drew all four penalty killers behind the red line. The Blues won the scrum, passed it to Pietrangelo who was wide open at the top of the right circle and he ripped it on net. With Chris Stewart’s big body in front, Lehtonen was screened a little and the puck hammered off his helmet, throwing him off a bit. Stewart was on the doorstep to corral the rebound and put it in the back of the net. The second goal was a bad play from several Stars players. Dillon tried passing the puck up the boards out of the zone, but it was intercepted near the blue line by Eaves. He passed it low to Porter who centered the puck off the side of the net. The puck came out front and Eaves drove hard to the net to lift in a backhand shot. You can argue the blame falls on Dillon’s pass that was intercepted, Benn’s skating out of the zone before getting the puck, Eriksson and Goligoski’s inability to tie up Eaves or stop him from getting his shot off. No matter how you look at them, the Stars gave up two terrible goals, and it cost them the win.

This was the scrum behind the net that led to the first goal of the game. You can see all four penalty killers below the red line, which is almost worst-case scenario. 

Pietrangelo got the puck off the scrum and his slap shot hit Lehtonen right in the head. He stumbled for a second, and dove to make a save on the rebound, but...

St. Louis Blues goal #1- Stewart had set the screen on Pietrangelo's shot. Once the puck hit off Lehtonen's head, he was in position to get to the rebound ahead of all the Stars. 

This is the pass that led to St. Louis' second goal. Dillon attempted to pass the puck up the boards, but you can see that no Stars were in position to receive the pass. Eriksson was in the center of the ice and Benn was cheating up along the boards to create a quick offensive opportunity. Eaves was at the top of the circle and cut off the pass before it crossed the blue line.

St. Louis Blues goal #2- Eaves stole Dillon's pass and sent the puck down low to Porter. Porter attempted a centering pass, but it hit off the side of the net and slid out front. Eaves drove hard to the net, shielding off Goligoski and Eriksson as he lifted a backhand shot past Lehtonen.

Too little offense too late- The Stars had six shots in each of the first two periods. That’s a total of 12 through 40 minutes compared to the Blues’ 15 shots. They woke up in the third period, but it was too late. The Stars scored their lone goal on a very simple play that they seemed to avoid a lot of the night: shot the puck on net. They attempted some fancy plays or an extra move here or there throughout the game. Just get it on net like Robidas did and good things will happen. They really put the pressure on the Blues in the third period, but they ran out of time and weren’t able to tie it up before the buzzer. 

Dallas goal #1- After a couple of good keep-ins at the blue line by Robidas, the puck finally gets worked back to him by Rome. Roussel screened Elliott and deflected Robidas' slap shot in the net.

Lines seen tonight:

Whitney-Benn-Eriksson

Garbutt-Eakin-Smith

Nystrom-Fiddler-Cole

Roussel-Wandell-Fraser

Dillon-Goligoski

Rome-Robidas

Jo. Benn-Larsen

PP- Eriksson-Benn-Cole-Whitney-Goligoski

PP- Nystrom-Fiddler-Eakin-Robidas-Jo. Benn

PK- Eakin-Cole-Rome-Robidas

PK-Fiddler-Nystrom-Goligoski-Dillon

PK- Eriksson-Cole-Rome-Robidas

PK- Roussel-Garbutt-Goligoski-Dillon

Notable Notes:

One of the biggest hits of the night done on Roussel after the play was blown offsides. It was between this and Robidas' hit on Steen early in the game. 

One of the Stars' best chances of the night. Eriksson danced to the front of the net and tied to tuck in a nifty backhander, but Elliott kicked it out.

Stars Sing the Blues, Fail to Move into Playoff Spot. Dallas Stars Game 44: 2-1 Loss at the St. Louis Blues.

Getty Images

The Dallas Stars’ playoff hopes took a hit with a 2-1 loss at the hands of the St. Louis Blues Friday night.

Kari Lehtonen made 18 saves on 20 shots and Antoine Roussel scored his sixth goal of the season, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Brian Elliott and the Blues.

Two big-bodied, power forwards scored for the Blues, starting about halfway through the first period. A scrum behind the Stars’ net led to all four Dallas penalty killers being behind the red line staring at the puck.

The Blues won the scrum and Alex Steen got the puck to a wide open Alex Pietrangelo at the top of the right circle. He fired a slap shot that hit a screened Lehtonen in the head. Chris Stewart provided the screen and was in position at the top of the crease to pounce on the rebound and put it in the net.

Ryan Eaves scored the game winner for St. Louis 7:52 into the second period. Brenden Dillon attempted a pass up the boards to get out of the zone, but Loui Eriksson was in the middle of the ice and Jamie Benn was cheating out of the zone trying to get a quick offensive play going.

Eaves stole the puck near the blue line and passed it to Chris Porter near the corner. Porter attempted a centering pass, but it hit off the side of the net and slid out in front of Lehtonen. Eaves shielded off Alex Goligoski and Eriksson as he drove the net and lifted a backhand shot past Lehtonen.

The Stars put heavy pressure on the Blues in the third period, outshooting them 10-5. Roussel was credited with a goal that finally put the Stars on the board. After a few good keep-ins at the blue line by Stephane Robidas, he eventually got a pass across the blue line from Aaron Rome.

Robidas blasted a slap shot on net with Roussel screening Elliott. Replays didn’t clearly show a deflection by Roussel, but Robidas was awarded the assist on the play.

The Stars didn’t receive much help from their special teams. They were 0-for-2 on the power play and 2-for-3 with a man in the box.

Dallas continues their fight for a playoff spot at the Los Angeles Kings Sunday night.  

Dallas Stars Game 43: The Good and the Bad

Getty Images

Dallas Stars 5-1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks

Shots: Dallas 30, Vancouver 38

PP: Dallas 1/5, Vancouver 0/2

The Good:

Kari Lehtonen- He came back strong. Maybe that’s an understatement. He was stellar. He stopped 37 of 38 shots and got help from the post on one. His rebound control was great. He was a little shaky to start, but he returned to his normal superhero ways as the game moved along.

A big kick-out save by Lehtonen on a hard shot by Kassian.

A wide open wrap arond chance by Daniel Sedin in the first that Lehtonen stopped. 

You can't really see it in this picture, but Henrik Sedin sent a pass to the slot that was redirected on goal. Lehtonen was gliding right, made the stop to his left and kept the puck out. 

Kassian's shot hit Rome's stick and off the post, but Lehtonen made the quick cover to ensure no goal. 

Forcing turnovers- This is one of my favorite aspects of the Stars’ play since the trade deadline. They have been ferocious on the forecheck and in their puck pursuit in the neutral zone. They forced many turnovers and bad passes in the neutral zone, and it was haunting the Canucks early. Their hard work directly led to Benn’s goal and a bunch of chances.

An example of Dallas' relentless puck pursuit and jumping on an opportunity to force a turnover

This forecheck led to a wide open chance for Reilly Smith in front of Schneider, but he lifted it over the net.

Ballard overskates the puck and Benn pounces on the opportunity to get a goal. 

Dallas goal #3- Benn takes the loose puck and skates in on net. He takes a wrist shot that goes by Schneider's blocker and in.

Special teams- Dallas was 1-for-5 on the power play, which doesn’t sound that great, but take it all into account. Fiddler’s goal came soon after Lapierre left the box, so it wasn’t a power play per say, but it basically was in the manner that they kept the same formation, ran the same play and were in the same position as they were on the power play. Dallas killed both of their penalties and looked strong doing it. I counted 5 clears, 4 shots on net and 2 short-handed opportunities on their two kills. The power play did give up too many successful  clearing attempts (17), but they had another good game of moving the puck, getting in position and taking shots on good looks. They just need to make sure to get more on net and definitely more in the back of the net with so many chances.

Dallas goal #5- Eriksson initiated the play with his outlet pass to Robidas. Robidas skated into the Vancouver zone wide right and centered it to Cole. Cole scored an almost identical goal to Benn's in terms of shot and positioning.

Backchecking- The forwards did a great job of coming back to help on defense. A couple of times, they were first back to cut off a dump in. What I liked the most is that when Vancouver came in on the attack, the defense blocked a shot, cut off a pass or poked the puck loose and the forwards swooped in to control the puck and get it out of the zone. They did this the best in the third period, and not only did they get the puck out of the zone, but they did it safely, efficiently and wisely. 

Scoring by committee- Simply put, the Stars received scoring from three of their four lines, and Roussel whiffed on a wide open net in the first period, so almost every line scored. The Stars need all four or at least three to contribute to continue to be successful. Need to make sure the Stars don't sink or swim offensively solely on the performance of the top line.

Dallas goal #1- Seconds after Lapierre's penalty expired, the Stars maintained their attack with the same position and play as they did on the PP. Daley made a pass from the left wing boards to Eakin in front of the net. He was tied up and unable to shoot, but Nystrom was there to backhand it cross-crease to a wide open Fiddler.

Leading up to Eakin's goal, Smith received a long outlet pass from Larsen near center ice. He nudged forward a little backhand pass that Eakin kicked form his skate to his stick as he skated between the Vancouver defenders. 

Dallas goal #2- After the nice play at the blue line, Eakin had open ice to skate in and score on a wrist shot from between the circles.

Dallas goal #4- Whitney's forecheck led to a turnover in the corner. He passed the puck (with Kassian's mistaken help) to Dillon at the blue line. Dillon took a slap shot and Benn tipped it from the slot. Schneider made a save but Whitney was on the doorstep to bury the rebound. 

The Bad:

Turnovers in own zone- I won’t even get into detail on this considering this seems to have been in the same category for almost every Stars game this season. For a couple of minutes in the first period (and a few other times throughout the game) the Stars seemed completely lost on how to get the puck out of the zone. Luckily, the turnovers didn’t directly cost them a goal.

Benn faceoffs- Not sure what was going on with Benn on the dots this game, but he was constantly kicked out, replaced by a winger who more often than not lost the faceoff. Whether it was Cole against Kesler or Eriksson against Sedin, it wasn’t good. 

Faceoffs- Benn won 10 of 22, Eakin won 5 of 17, Fiddler won 12 of 21, Wandell won 3 of 6, Cole won 1 of 3, Roussel won 1 of 2, Eriksson lost his only faceoff and Whitney won his only draw.

Lines seen tonight:

Whitney-Benn-Eriksson

Garbutt-Eakin-Smith

Nystrom-Fiddler-Cole

Roussel-Wandell-Fraser

Dillon-Goligoski

Daley-Robidas

Rome-Larsen

PP- Eriksson-Benn-Cole-Whitney-Goligoski

PP- Nystrom-Fiddler-Eakin-Daley-Robidas

PP- Eakin-Garbutt-Smith-Whitney-Daley

PK-Fiddler-Nystrom-Robidas-Dillon (Daley in the box)

PK- Eakin-Eriksson-Rome-Goligoski

PK- Eakin-Cole-Daley-Robidas

PK- Wandell-Smith-Goligoski-Dillon 

Notable Notes:

Leading up to Vancouver's goal, a long pass bounced off the boards and Goligoski turned around to get in position to get the puck. 

Vancouver goal #1- Unfortunately, Goligoski misplayed it and was overpowered by Roy, who drove the net, made a move to his right and lifted a backhander past Lehtonen.

Stars' biggest hit of the night. Dillon eliminated Pinizzotto. 

Vancouver's biggest hit. After the play ended and the ref blew the whistle, Burrows threw down Robidas to the ice.

A shot hit off the post, bounced off Edler's back and nearly bounced into the net before Alberts swiped it away from the goal line. Cole scored on the play, but it was put in after the ref blew the whistle to end the play.

A great chance in the first period, but Schneider stopped Garbutt. 

Fiddler had a breakaway, but Schneider made a good save on his backhand attempt.

One of Smith's good chances. Schneider got a piece of it, just enough to send it over the crossbar.

Another one of Smith's great chances. A turnover led to him receiving a pass in the slot, but his shot sailed up over the net. 

This was a tremendous save by Schneider on Garbutt. Eakin took the loose puck (off a bad pass by Barker) and sent it out front to Garbutt. His one-timer was a laser on net, but Schneider gloved it.

This was a great chance in the first period that Roussel had. A rebound off a deflection left the net open and Roussel swung at the bouncing puck. He whiffed and the puck was cleared to end the play.

Zubov was honored before the game for his selection into the Dallas Stars 20th Anniversary team.

Zubie!!

Ceremonial opening faceoff.

ZUBIE!!! You are missed!