Matt Boldy and Kirill Kaprizov scored power-play goals in the third period, but it wasn’t enough as the Dallas Stars skated away with a 5–2 win over the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday night at American Airlines Center.
Zeev Buium registered two assists, while Filip Gustavsson turned aside 20 shots in the loss.
Jake Oettinger shouldered the workload for Dallas, stopping 38 shots to hand the Wild a 2–2–0 record on the season. The Stars’ depth was also on full display, with five different players finding the back of the net.
First Period
The Wild fell behind early, and it took just 5:37 for it to happen. A costly turnover at center ice led directly to the opening goal, as Roope Hintz corralled the loose puck and charged down the left wing. Wrapping around the net, he found Esa Lindell wide open in the left circle and fed him a crisp pass. Lindell then slipped a shot five-hole past Gustavsson to give Dallas a 1–0 lead.
Gustavsson made a stellar glove save with just under nine minutes remaining in the period, robbing Mavrik Bourque’s wrister from the left circle. Later, with under six minutes to play in the frame, Hintz broke free on a breakaway, but his howitzer from the left circle sailed wide. Minnesota controlled possession for the early part of the period but couldn’t capitalize. As the period wore on, they struggled to maintain the puck. Even Kaprizov found himself neutralized, as Dallas’ defense effectively pinned him along the boards whenever possible.
Joel Eriksson Ek was whistled for tripping Matt Duchene, and Dallas capitalized on the ensuing power play. Wyatt Johnston walked the puck in and snapped a wrist shot top shelf past Gustavsson, doubling the Stars’ lead to 2–0.
Minnesota took another penalty late in the frame when Ryan Hartman bumped into Miro Heiskanen, sending him to the ice. The penalty carried over into the second period.
Second Period
Dallas extended its lead on the power play early in the second. Duchene sent a cross-crease pass that deflected off Zach Bogosian’s skate and into the net for an own goal, making it 3–0.
Power Play Struggles Early
The Wild earned their first power play of the game when Nils Lundkvist was called for holding Marcus Johansson. However, the man advantage was largely ineffective, with Minnesota mustering only two shots—both in the final 37 seconds.
Minnesota had another opportunity late in the period when Justin Hryckowian bear-hugged Jonas Brodin along the boards, but they were again unable to convert.
Third Period
Just over two minutes into the third, Jake Middleton delivered a massive, clean open-ice hit on Duchene. Alex Petrovic jumped in to defend his teammate, dropping the gloves with Middleton, but it was mostly one-way traffic in the fight. Both players received five-minute majors, with Petrovic also assessed an instigating penalty and a 10-minute misconduct. Duchene went to the locker room and did not return.
The Wild finally broke through at 3:50 on the power play, when Boldy redirected a point shot from Buium to make it 3–1. Minnesota gained momentum and continued to pressure Oettinger, who turned away Marco Rossi’s dangerous wrist shot off the rush.
With 7:27 remaining, Dallas forward Colin Blackwell was sent to the box for holding after Buium drew the penalty. Blackwell unleashed an expletive-laced tirade in the box, but moments later Kaprizov scored on the power play to bring Minnesota within one. It was Kaprizov’s fourth goal of the season.
Gustavsson was pulled with 2:22 remaining for the extra attacker, but the Stars iced the game when Jason Robertson sent Radek Faksa on a breakaway for an empty-net goal. Minnesota kept Gustavsson on the bench, and Hintz added another empty-netter with 9.3 seconds left to seal Dallas’ home-opening victory in decisive fashion.
Takeaways
Minnesota looked sluggish through the first two periods, plagued by uncharacteristic turnovers and undisciplined play that put them in a deep hole. The penalty kill faltered as Johnston and Duchene struck for back-to-back power-play goals, an area that will need tightening moving forward.
While the power play remains a bright spot, the Wild have now gone three straight games without a five-on-five goal—a growing concern.
Next Game
The Wild will look to bounce back Friday on the road against the Washington Capitals. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. local time.