DENVER — The Stars regained home ice advantage Saturday night in Game 3 of Game 2 of their series against the Colorado Avalanche, winning 4-1 on the road at Ball Arena.
Rookie Logan Stankoven and veteran Tyler Seguin each scored two points for Dallas, and goaltender Jake Oettinger scored 28 points. Save in-game.
The Stars currently hold a 2-1 lead in the series. They will face Colorado in Game 4 on Monday at 8:30pm PT.
Here are five thoughts from the Game 3 victory.
Road monopoly continues
The Stars were the NHL's best road team throughout the regular season, scoring points 69.5% of the time.
It's an advantage they boasted before heading into T-Mobile Arena against Las Vegas, the last series they lost 0-2, allowing them to crawl into the series and tie it on their opponents' ice. It was one that I did.
But against Colorado, the Stars faced an even bigger challenge. The Stars may have been the league's best road team, but Colorado was the best home team, winning points in 76.8% of their games at Ball Arena. Entering Game 3 on Saturday, the Avalanche had not lost a playoff game on home ice.
With both teams in their comfort zones, the Stars' road advantage turned out to be even bigger. They further extended their lead early in the first period and were able to build on that goal over the next 40 minutes.
The Stars are currently 3-1 in this playoff game and will have another chance to win on Monday night.
“We came to this rink and knew how they played,” Seguin said. “We also know how we play on the road. We knew it was going to be a big challenge. I think the next game is going to be an even bigger challenge, but in the playoffs those moments are important, and we knew it was going to be a big challenge. Sometimes it's important to get the right bounce, and we did that tonight.”
Logan Stankoven ends scoring drought
Stars rookie Logan Stankoven couldn't have gotten off to a better start to his NHL career when he was called up by the Texas Stars in February.
He had six goals and four assists in his first 12 NHL games, solidifying his spot on the roster and lineup.
But after scoring against Arizona on March 20, Stankoven hadn't found the back of the net for nearly two months until Saturday.
The 21-year-old put Dallas ahead with less than 90 seconds left in the first period. Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen was found stuck in traffic and his wrist went past Avalanche goaltender Alexander Georgiev.
“I think it’s always great to contribute,” Stankoven said. “I feel like I've been doing the right things, but I just couldn't find the back of the net. Being a young player in the league always comes with challenges, so I'm trying to find my way and earn the trust of the coaches. I’m just trying to get it.”
The rookie gave Dallas a lead for the third straight game in the series after the first period. He rounded out the scoring with an empty net goal in the final minute.
Stars penalty kill dominates again
Dallas' penalty kill has been gone since Game 1, when the Stars allowed two goals on the power play and allowed Colorado to claw its way back from a 3-0 deficit.
The Stars, the team with the fewest penalty minutes in the league during the regular season, had five infractions in the first period of Game 3 alone. Those penalties led to three power plays for the Avalanche.
However, Dallas' penalty kill kept Colorado's power play completely off the scoresheet for the second straight game.
With 5:01 left in the first period, Jamie Benn and Ryan Suter made the defensive plays of the night. The puck slipped through Oettinger's pads and almost crossed the goal line, but Suter and Benn swooped in to prevent the puck from crossing completely.
The Stars had one power play of their own, but were unable to score.
After the first period, the Stars committed no additional penalties.
“Yeah, we made some adjustments. I don't want to get involved with them, but I'm sure they'll look and see what they're about,” Stars coach Pete DeBoer said of his penalty kicks. Told. “We also made a huge effort tonight blocking shots from everyone. Everyone took turns. We got some key blocks at key times, but this was one of those It’s always important for the team.”
Tyler Seguin's success against Colorado continues
Tyler Seguin appeared in three regular season games against the Avalanche, scoring two goals in each. Through three playoff games, the Stars' veteran forward has scored nine total goals against Colorado this season.
Seguin scored his first playoff goal shorthanded in Game 2 and added two more goals on Saturday.
Colorado tied the score midway through the second period, but Sam Steele, Evgeni Dadonov and Seguin regained the lead in transition. Dadonov found Seguin with a perfect pass at the far post, but Georgiev had no chance to react.
Seguin then added an empty netter in the closing seconds. He currently has six points in the playoffs.
“I loved Seggy’s game all year long,” DeBoer said. “I think he's done a really good job for us this year. I think this line has been great through most of this year. Like anything, there are some bumps along the way as the season progresses. There are bumps and ups and downs. But when you look at the big picture and the body of work throughout the season, I think he's been great and his line has been great.”
Jake Ettinger carries the star on his back
Dallas faced an onslaught from the Avalanche at the start of the game, as Colorado held a 12-5 shot advantage throughout the first period.
Unlike Georgiev, Oettinger faced three power plays and didn't get much down time, especially early in the contest.
“It would be better if I worked less.” [Georgiev’s] tonight,” Oettinger said. “It's much easier as a goalie to just get into a rhythm and not think about it, especially when you're making shots early and you feel like you're in the game. I was able to do that.”
Dallas' goalie was persistent, allowing just 1 goal on 29 shots on goal. Colorado's netminder allowed two points on 21 shots.
The one goal allowed by Oettinger was perfected by Hart Trophy finalist Nathan MacKinnon, who ran it on target and found linemate Mikko Rantanen to score.
Otherwise, Oettinger was just as strong as he was against Las Vegas, leading his team to a series victory.
“Words can't describe a guy like Jakey,” Seguin said. “He knows what kind of atmosphere they have and how they start. We needed him, and he always seems to rise to the occasion.”
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