STARS START STRETCH STRONG
The Dallas Stars got the post-Olympic portion of their schedule off to a solid start, cruising to a 4-1 win over the Carolina Hurricanes last night at the American Airlines Center. The Stars scored on each of their first two shots of the game, and never looked back. A pair of shorthanded goals opened up a commanding advantage, and the Stars were not outshot in any period as they protected the lead.
Tyler Seguin and Brenden Dillon (shorthanded) opened up a quick 2-0 lead for the Stars in the opening 6:13 of the game. The score held until late in the second period. With Dallas shorthanded, Jamie Benn gained control of the puck deep in his own end of the ice, wheeled up the ice, split the defense and scored on Anton Khudobin (30 saves).
Video of the spectacular goal by the Stars' captain is below:
Video from Stars.NHL.com
Benn, who also assisted on both Seguin's and Dillon's goals in the first period was a no-brainer pick for first star of the game. He finished the night with three shots on goal, including one on which Khudobin denied him on a breakaway coming out of the penalty box in the second period.
Kari Lehtonen had a strong game in goal for the Stars. He saw his share of testers among the 30 shots fired on his net and had the answers to all but one. Eric Staal broke up Lehtonen's shutout bid early in the third period. Dallas restored its three-goal margin with a late empty net goal by Cody Eakin.
The Stars return to action on Saturday afternoon. The Tampa Bay Lightning will come to town for a 2 p.m. tilt at the American Airlines Center.