The Stars returned from their comeback win in Nashville and beat the Seattle Kraken 2-1 at home.
The game started slowly, but Seattle got on the board first when forward Jaden Schwartz shot a puck past goalie Casey DeSmith off a face off. It would be the only goal DeSmith allowed all night.
Dallas got the chance to respond immediately when forward Kaapo Kakko got banished to the box for hooking, prompting a Dallas power play unit that has started producing more goals as the season progresses.
Wyatt Johnston picked up his tenth goal of the season when he shot the puck past Matt Murray’s glove side off of an assist from Jason Robertson.
There was a familiar face on the ice, as Mason Marchment made his return to the American Airlines Center for the first time since being traded to Seattle. The forward was greeted with a short video tribute and a standing ovation from the crowd.
As the period winded down, Tyler Seguin snuck a puck past Murray, who lay flat across the crease. Just as Murray looked to have blocked off all entrances for Seguin, the goalie’s feet lifted ever so slightly, and Seguin was able to slide the puck under Murray’s toes. It is his fifth goal of the season.
“Saw the puck go in, that was pretty exciting… I’m waking up everyday and trying to have fun, no matter what: wins, losses, tough travel, tough schedule right now, just trying to enjoy it all,” Seguin said. “I think that’s the secret sometimes and we’re finding ways to get points different ways.”
The second period remained scoreless, thanks to DeSmith’s control of the crease and Dallas being outshot 15-7. DeSmith made save after save into the third period, diving to catch pucks and anticipating rebounds on power plays and during full strength play.
“They made it tough for sure on me, with side to side lateral plays, taking my eyes away, tips, you name it. I thought they generated a lot, and I felt like I was seeing the puck really well,” DeSmith said. “Obviously went better as the game went on and just started to gain confidence and start playing my game a little bit more.”
The Stars held onto the 2-1 lead and added another win to their stat sheet as they prepare to travel to Ottawa to take on the Senators Tuesday at 6 p.m. CT.