It is infinitely easier for the Dallas Stars to win games when the Jamie Benn and Mike Ribeiro lines are both clicking, and that has certainly been the case of late. Yesterday, the Stars wore down the Edmonton Oilers and rode a big third period to a 4-1 victory.
The Stars had to play from behind after giving up a late goal to Taylor Hall in the first period but Benn pulled them even with a little over five minutes remaining in the middle stanza. The third period was all Stars, as Benn put Dallas ahead early in the final stanza and then Ribeiro added a pair of insurance markers in the waning minutes of the game. The play of Loui Eriksson (3 assists) was also key to the win.
Richard Bachman (25 saves) played a strong game substituting for Kari Lehtonen (illness). The lone goal the rookie yielded was on a fluky play, as Taylor Hall's shot hit Dallas defenseman Alex Goligoski, flipped into the air, and landed past Bachman.
In addition, the situation with Steve Ott delivering a high hit to Anton Lander -- I suspect he'll be hearing from Brendan Shanahan and get a game or two suspension out of it -- raised the emotional level of the game.
The Stars generally make life miserable for Edmonton whenever the Oilers visit Dallas. The Stars are now 10-0-1 in their last 11 home games against Tom Renney's club. Edmonton concluded a tough road with their sixth loss in seven games.
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