Sam Steele scored the game-winning goal in the third period to give the Dallas Stars a 4-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks at the American Airlines Center on Friday.
Steele poked in a net front scramble at 10:56 of the final period. The Sharks were able to gain some momentum, but couldn’t get a second goal in the Stars’ net.
Jason Robertson also scored for the Stars, giving him 18 on the season. Mikko Rantanen had a goal and an assist while taking three penalties, and Jake Oettinger made 16 saves.
Collin Graf scored for the Sharks, giving him 11 points this season. Graf’s 11 points in 28 games matches his total from last season in five fewer games. Yaroslav Askarov redeemed himself and was stellar, making 21 saves.
Jeff Skinner returned from a 10-game injury absence. The winger played on the third line and was on the second power play unit for the San Jose Sharks.
The Sharks went 0 for four on the power play, bringing their total power play opportunities to 108 for the season.
Robertson gave the Stars the lead at 14:20 of the first period with a power play goal. Wyatt Johnston’s shot rang off the post from the slot and rebounded to the side of the net for Robertson to backhand into an open net.
Graf tied the game 1-1 at 8:23 of the second period. Nick Leddy’s shot from the point rebounded in front, and Graf was the only one who found the puck and swept it past Oettinger.
Rantanen scored to make it 3-1 at 16:39. The Stars winger was allowed to walk out in front and beat Askarov over the blocker.
Miro Heiskanen added an empty-netter with 2:19 left in the game.
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