Entrenched in first place in both the Central Division and Western Conference, the Dallas Stars were not in dire need of a win on Thursday night from the standpoint of being in jeopardy in the standings. Nevertheless, the team's 2-1 home win via shootout against the Winnipeg Jets was an important one for the Stars, and not just because it ended a three-game losing streak and brought the Stars their first two-point effort of the 2016 calendar year.
Rather, it was the way the team played for the bulk of the game. After yielding a staggering 12 goals over the last two games, Dallas restored order and structure to its game, competing much more actively to protect the puck and maintain coverages. The club also got a strong bounceback game from Kari Lehtonen (32 saves on 33 shots) after he was strafed for six goals -- and was partially culpable on several -- in a 6-5 loss to the New York Islanders in his last start.
The Stars needed to re-establish that they could prevail in a low-scoring game, even if it had to be via shootout after a 65-minute tie. Separated temporarily from regular linemate Jamie Benn, Tyler Seguin provided Dallas' lone regulation goal and both Seguin and Sharp converted their shootout attempts to enable Dallas to earn a bonus point for the skills competition victory.
In goal, Lehtonen came just a second-period goal through traffic by Mathieu Perreault from recording a shutout. The big Finn denied two of three attempts in the shootout, with the final attempt by Bryan Little hitting the crossbar. Winnipeg counterpart Connor Hellebuyck turned in yet another strong performance, stopping 23 of 24 shots in regulation and overtime. He was 1-for-3 in the shootout, benefiting from a hit goal post by third shooter Jamie Benn.
The Stars went 3-for-3 on the penalty kill and 0-for-2 on the power play.
Dallas, which has won five straight games on home ice, returns to action on Saturday as they host the Minnesota Wild. After that, the Stars will have a five-night break until starting a three-game California road trip with game in Anaheim on Jan. 15.