DALLAS, TX – The Dallas Stars showcased their offensive prowess in a commanding 5-1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings at the American Airlines Center on Tuesday. The Stars’ balanced attack was led by Roope Hintz, Wyatt Johnston, and Evgenii Dadonov, each contributing a goal and an assist, propelling Dallas to their fourth win in the last five games.
Jason Dickinson’s two assists and Jake Oettinger’s impressive 31-save performance were pivotal in the Stars’ dominant display, pushing their season record to 26-12-5. Dallas coach Peter DeBoer emphasized the team’s execution of their game plan, taking advantage of a Kings team at the end of a grueling six-game road trip.
Despite Drew Doughty scoring for the Kings and Cam Talbot’s 23 saves, Los Angeles struggled to find their rhythm, extending their challenging streak to only one win in their last 10 games. The Kings’ Trevor Lewis acknowledged the team’s current difficulties, emphasizing the need to persevere and learn from this tough phase.
Dallas’ new top line, comprising Hintz, Robertson, and Johnston, made an immediate impact, with Hintz scoring off Robertson’s feed in the first period. Johnston praised Hintz’s ability to find and create space, highlighting his impact on the game.
Dadonov’s goal, albeit fortuitous with the puck deflecting off Kings defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov’s skate, gave the Stars a crucial two-goal lead. The Kings’ response came from Doughty on a power play early in the second period, but it wasn’t enough to swing the momentum.
Johnston’s third-period wrist shot, set up by Hintz and Robertson, further extended the Stars’ lead. Coach DeBoer’s strategy to place Johnston on the top line paid dividends, providing the young forward with more offensive opportunities.
Joe Pavelski and Sam Steel added to the Stars’ tally, with Pavelski scoring off a rebound and Steel netting a short-handed goal on a 2-on-1 break. Radek Faksa, assisting on Steel’s goal, reflected on the importance of patience and capitalizing on opportunities, even against power plays.
The Stars have proven their strength in third periods, scoring a league-best 64 goals in the final frame this season. Their ability to wear down opponents, especially in back-to-back scenarios, was evident against the Kings.
Notable achievements in the game included Robertson reaching 30 assists for the third consecutive season, Faksa’s plus-3 performance in his 600th NHL game, and Pavelski’s continued point streak. Additionally, Doughty’s goal marked a significant milestone, placing him as the second Kings defenseman in history to score 150 goals.
The Stars’ comprehensive victory over the Kings underlines their ability to execute game plans effectively and capitalize on their scoring opportunities, particularly in critical periods of the game. As Dallas continues to build momentum, the Kings will look to regroup and address their recent struggles to get back on track.
