The Dallas Stars remained the final team in the NHL to avoid back-to-back losses as they dismantled the Montreal Canadens by a 6-2 score at the American Airlines Center on Saturday evening. Montreal lost for the seventh time in its last eight games; all in regulation.
Stars captain Jamie Benn enjoyed a dominating performance, tallying even strength and power play goals, adding an assist and registering four credited hits. Jason Spezza (one goal, two assists) and Tyler Seguin (one goal, one assist) also had multi-point performances and both Patrick Sharp and Patrick Eaves notched power play goals as the Stars busted out of a drought on the man advantage with a 3-for-8 performance.
Antti Niemi earned the win in goal for Dallas, turning back 21 of 23 shots. Playing in the absence of injured Carey Price, losing goaltender Mike Condon stopped just 17 of 23 shots for Montreal before being relieved by Dustin Tokarski after Eaves' third period power play goal restored a four-goal lead for Dallas.
The Stars roared out to leads of 3-0 and 5-1 before Montreal got goals by Daniel Carr (power play) and Paul Byron (shorthanded) to temporarily narrow the gap. Otherwise, Habs highlights were few and far between on a night where they took eight minor penalties, including three separate delay-of-game penalties (two by P.K. Subban) and one on Michael McCarron for closing his hand on the puck.
Dallas has two games remaining before the leaguewide Christmas break. On Monday, the Stars return to their original home state to take on the Minnesota Wild in St. Paul. The next night, the Stars are back home at the American Airlines Center to host the defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks.