Photo Courtesy: Dominic Ceraldi
The Dallas Stars have won six of their first eight games and find themselves second in the Western Conference.
The Stars latest three opponents were all from the Eastern conference as they played the Flyers, Penguins and Panthers. In the win against the Flyers, Benn and Seguin scored nearly a minute a part from each other as Sequin notched his fourth goal with 52 seconds to play in the first. Jamie Benn scored 11 seconds in to start the 2nd period on a turnover by the Flyers. Niemi started in net against the Flyers and allowed one goal on 35 shots. The win extended their streak to four.
For the second time this year, the Stars beat Sydney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Stars won 4-1 with four different goal scorers. Johnny Oduya got his first goal on a floater that Pens goalie Marc-Andre Fleury misplayed. John Klingberg got his first goal of the game as he beat Fleury high on the glove side assisted by a Benn screen. The third goal was scored by Jason Spezza on a Pens turnover in their own zone. Mattias Janmark capped off the scoring by cleaning up a rebound and extending the Stars win streak to five.
Like the Penguins, the Stars played another Eastern Conference team already for the second time in the young season. The Stars ended their winning streak by losing to the Panthers 6-2 at home. Lehtonen got the start in goal but was pulled in the second period after giving up three goals. Niemi came in and didn’t do much better as the Stars were down three goals after the second period. NHL legend, and yes he still plays, Jaromir Jagr scored the Panthers sixth goal. Panthers backup goalie Al Montoya surrendered just two goals, both by Jamie Benn, on 35 shots.
Stars recipe to winning so far…
Don’t turnover the puck. The Stars two losses were caused by sloppy puck play and possession. Except for the Flyers games, the Stars win games by scoring three or more. Jim Nill and Lindy Ruff have put together a potent offensive lineup. The Stars have the third best power play in hockey and are killing power plays on a 90% clip.
Other notes…
Jason Demers got hit with a two game suspension in the Penguins game Thursday after elbowing Nick Bonino. The incident occurred when Bonino went for a hit on Demers, who had the puck. Demers turned and saw Bonino coming and countered with an elbow striking Bonino in the face. His suspensions ends after the Tuesday game against the Ducks.
Upcoming Schedule – All Times Central
10/27 vs Ducks 7:30pm
10/29 vs Canucks 7:30pm
10/31 vs Sharks 2:00pm
