By virtue of losing nine of their first 10 games in the month of January, the Dallas Stars left themselves with an uphill climb in the Western Conference standings. However, the team has played much better hockey of late, going 4-1-1 in the last six games.
Last night in Anaheim, the Stars knocked off the NHL-leading Anaheim Ducks by a 2-0 score. The win was Dallas' second of the season against the Ducks and marked just the third time this season that the Ducks have lost in regulation at home. However, Anaheim has now lost three of its last five on home ice.
With both teams battling the characteristically poor ice surface at the Honda Center, the Stars blanked one of the NHL's most potent offenses. Dan Ellis, starting for the first time since Jan. 9, recorded a 26-save shutout; his first with Dallas and the 14th of his NHL career. Jonas Hiller turned back 25 of 26 shots for the Ducks, who had not previously been shut out during the 2013-14 season.
The game remained scoreless until the 5:03 mark of the middle frame. Dallas managed to outshoot the Ducks by a 9-6 margin in the first period. Finally, Trevor Daley followed up the rebound of a Cody Eakin shot for the defenseman's fourth goal of the season.
Ellis' toughest save of the second period may have been one on former Hart Trophy winner Corey Perry moments after Perry exited the penalty box in the second period. Otherwise, Dallas held a 21-14 shot advantage through two periods, and did a good job at preventing the Ducks from finding open lanes. The puck retrievals were good, the breakouts crisp and the coverages largely confined to the perimeter an Anaheim team that loves to crash the net.
Anaheim had the better of play in the third period, outchancing and outshooting (12-6) the Stars, but Ellis and company found ways to keep the puck out of the net. As time ticked down in regulation, Ellis made a spectacular pad save on Perry on a play that initially looked to be a sure goal.
The Ducks pulled Hiller for an extra attacker in the final minute. Dallas captain Jamie Benn guided the puck into an empty net with 29 seconds left to seal the 2-0 win.
Benn scored into an empty net with 29 seconds left to make it a 2-0 game and seal the victory for the Stars in game one of their three-game road trip. Tyler Seguin earned his 30th assist of the season on the play.
The Stars have two nights off before their next game. On Tuesday, the club begins a tough back-to-back road slate with a game against the Phoenix Coyotes. The next night, Lindy Ruff's squad will be in San Jose.