The Dallas Stars finished up the 2013 calendar year in solid fashion, posting a 5-0-2 record over the final seven games of the months. Dallas enters the new year having allowed two regulation goals or fewer in seven straight games. The Stars have outscored opponents by a 23-13 margin over the span of their seven-game point streak.
Last night, the Stars' hibernating home power play woke up from its long winter's nap to strike twice in a 3-2 regulation win over the Los Angeles Kings. It was Dallas' second victory over LA in as many weeks.
Erik Cole scored two goals for the second time in the last three games. A streak scorer, Cole has five goals and eight points in his last six games after getting 12 points (five goals and seven assists) in the first 33 games of the season. Additionally, Tyler Seguin notched a goal and an assist. Alex Chiasson had two assists.
Stars goaltender Kari Lehtonen, who has been on a strong run of late, stopped 23 of 25 shots in the win. A Jeff Carter deflection goal and a perfectly placed shot from the left circle by Anze Kopitar were the only pucks to elude the big Finn.
Perhaps the most encouraging development last night was that the Stars power play -- which has been dreadful on home ice this season -- came through twice on five opportunities. It ended up being the difference maker on this night.
First, Cole potted the rebound of a Tyler Seguin slapshot from the left circle to tie the game at 1-1 at the 15:58 mark of the period. Midway through the second period, Dallas forged ahead as Seguin claimed the rebound of Chiasson's shot attempt as it caromed off the end boads. From a flat angle, Seguin put the Stars ahead at 12:13 of the middle frame.
A few minutes after the Seguin goal, Cole gave the Stars some insurance. Receiving a pass from Rich Peverley, Cole snapped a shot past Ben Scrivens (29 saves on 33 shots) from the lower left circle.
Kopitar shaved the Stars lead to one goal at 1:05 of the third period. Thereafter, the Stars put down the defensive clamps in the third period, limiting LA to four shots over the remainder of the game.
The Stars' are 2-0-1 thus far on their five game homestand. Tomorrow night, the Montreal Canadiens come to town. Game time at the American Airlines Center is 7:30 p.m. CST.
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