The Dallas Stars showcased their resilience and determination on Thursday night as they overcame an early deficit to defeat the Nashville Predators 5-1 at the American Airlines Center. This victory marked the Stars' seventh consecutive win, further solidifying their position in the race for the Central Division crown.
Despite struggling in the first half of the game, the Stars turned up the heat in the latter stages, scoring five unanswered goals, including four in a dominant third period. Coach Pete DeBoer had emphasized the importance of winning out to catch the Winnipeg Jets, and his team responded with a thrilling performance.
"I think we’ve got an honest team, and they understand what we had to fix," DeBoer stated after the game. "We were just reckless with the puck in the first period. They fixed that, and the game kind of tilted our way following better decisions with the puck."
The Stars entered the game on a six-game winning streak and a nine-game point streak, and they looked to extend that momentum against a struggling Predators team. Nashville, having lost their previous four games, started strong with Steven Stamkos scoring the first goal of the night. Stamkos, who has been a bright spot for the Predators, capitalized on a breakaway after receiving a pass from Filip Forsberg, slipping the puck through the pads of Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger.
Stamkos’ goal, his 24th of the season and the 579th of his career, gave Nashville a 1-0 lead, but the Stars were undeterred. Oettinger, who was instrumental in keeping his team in the game, made 28 saves, including 17 in the first period alone. "For me, I’m just trying to make one or two saves to keep it close because I know we can score pretty rapidly," Oettinger said, highlighting the team's confidence in their offensive capabilities.
As the game progressed, the Stars began to find their rhythm. With just 36 seconds left in the second period, Matt Duchene fired a shot that was deftly redirected by Mikael Granlund to tie the game at 1-1. This pivotal moment shifted the momentum in favor of Dallas, and they came out firing in the third period.
Just 39 seconds into the final frame, Mason Marchment scored the go-ahead goal, putting the Stars ahead 2-1. The floodgates opened shortly thereafter, with Roope Hintz, Wyatt Johnston, and Lian Bichsel each adding goals in a stunning 13-minute span that left the Predators reeling.
Johnston’s goal marked his sixth consecutive game with a point, showcasing his rising star status within the team. Bichsel's goal capped off the night, sealing the victory and demonstrating the Stars' offensive depth.
Throughout the game, the Stars' defensive unit tightened up significantly, allowing Nashville only three shots on goal in the third period. This defensive effort was crucial in ensuring that Oettinger could focus on stopping the few chances that came his way.
The Stars played without their captain, Jamie Benn, who was sidelined for maintenance due to a lower-body injury. Benn had the fifth-longest active streak in the NHL for consecutive games played, and his absence was felt. However, DeBoer expressed confidence in his team’s ability to step up, stating, "We’ve got a lot of hidden leadership in that room behind Jamie. Jamie’s obviously the guy, but we’ve got a lot of layers of leadership underneath that you see when he’s not around."
The Predators, now with ten losses in their last twelve games, will need to regroup quickly as they prepare to host the Montreal Canadiens on Sunday. Meanwhile, the Stars will look to continue their winning streak against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday.
As the regular season draws to a close, the Stars are in a strong position with a record of 50-21-4, accumulating 104 points. With only two weeks left in the season, they are determined to overtake the Winnipeg Jets and claim the Central Division title. The intensity of the playoff race is palpable, and if the Stars maintain their current form, they could very well achieve their goal.
This thrilling matchup not only highlighted the Stars' potential as they gear up for the playoffs but also underscored the challenges facing the Predators as they navigate a difficult stretch. Fans can expect more exciting hockey as the season winds down, with both teams looking to solidify their standings.
