The Dallas Stars may have spent more time than they hoped down a man in Sunday’s 5-1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs, but their penalty killing unit made sure it didn’t matter.
Dallas killed four Maple Leafs power plays to secure the win, even as the Stars were outshot 28-20. Jason Robertson put the Dallas on the board first, and Dallas scored four goals in the third period.
The Stars have now won four in a row.
“Our PK has been unbelievable,” Stars goalie Jake Oettinger said. “That’s been the difference-maker for us this last stretch.”
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The Maple Leafs threatened early, but Oettinger robbed Toronto captain Auston Matthews with a glove save on a shot from point-blank range. It was one highlight on a night full of them for Oettinger, who finished with 27 saves. He also made consecutive saves on Scott Laughton while sprawled on the ice as time expired in the second period to preserve Dallas’ lead entering the third.
That lead was thanks to Robertson, who maintained his lead among American scorers in the NHL this season, adding his 23rd goal of the season. Robertson outmuscled Jake McCabe in a puck battle to score.
In the second period, Dallas’ penalty kill had to take over, killing three Toronto power plays. Dallas had two power plays — and three all game — but went scoreless. Officials missed a few calls as Robertson was tackled on a breakaway and cross-checked on a power play.
Nevertheless, the Stars’ penalty kill made special teams a nonfactor, even as the Stars were outshot 14-4 in the second.
“We got a little loose and out of rhythm, and Jake had to save us in the second,” Stars coach Glen Gulutzan said. “We took some penalties, got some big kills, but we certainly got out of rhythm.”
Dallas nearly scored in the second period, as Mavrik Bourque finished a shot by Roope Hintz. But the goal was successfully challenged by Toronto for offside of Hintz earlier in the shift.
The Stars were able to use the momentum from their penalty kill and Oettinger in the third, as Steel deflected in a shot by Ilya Lyubushkin early in the period. Laughton scored in transition for Toronto later in the frame, but Benn made it a two-goal Dallas lead again, deflecting a shot by Miro Heiskanen.
Bourque did end up scoring into an empty net, and Oettinger recorded a rare goalie assist. Justin Hryckowian scored Dallas’ final goal of the game with less than 20 seconds to play.
“Really consistent play,” Benn said of Bourque scoring. “Taking big strides this year from last year, and I think he’s been really good for this hockey club, and it’s nice to see him get rewarded with one.”
The Stars travel to Detroit on Tuesday for their final game before the Christmas break.
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