Dallas Stars Stretch Losing Streak to Four in 3-2 Loss to Senators

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The Dallas Stars ended their road trip with a 3-2 regulation loss to the Ottawa Senators. The loss makes them winless in their last four match-ups.

Recap

The Stars started the first period off with great energy and momentum. That, however, did not last long as they surrendered a shorthanded goal at 14:41 to go down 1-0. To make matters worse, during a delayed penalty Kari Lehtonen was on the bench for the extra attacker and Jiri Hudler‘s drop pass found its way into the Stars’ net. With that Ottawa took a 2-0 lead into the first intermission.

The second period saw an entirely new wave of momentum. Dallas was able to score at 11:28 and 16:09 to tie the game, 2-2. Antoine Roussel scored from the crease by tapping in a cross-crease pass and Jamie Benn‘s slapshot from the point found its way into the back of the net. Dallas and Ottawa then headed into the second intermission tied, 2-2.

Ottawa opened scoring in the third period to take a 3-2 lead with just under 14 minutes remaining. Dallas had their chances in the final 20 minutes, but could not score to tie the game and the Senators won 3-2.

Thoughts and Observations

Lots of Questions

This Stars team is an enigma. They are so talented individually and have had success at times, but then have moments of complete and utter failure. It is in those moments that questions of why begin to form.

The first period was a perfect example of Dallas’ season. They had momentum at one point, only to completely lose it and see their significant advantage evaporate before their eyes. Own goals do happen occasionally, but doing so while the opposing team is about to be penalized and you are trailing 1-0 is horrendous.

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Not only does it give the Senators even more momentum, it completely destroys any shot that the power play will be useful. At the very least it will merely be canceled out by a goal for. That is never a way to look at a game, especially when down by a goal.

Unfortunately, though, this is the Dallas Stars’ situation. They are struggling so much and so often that, to some degree, them scoring against themselves does not seem that far off. It is almost to be expected with as poorly as this year has gone for them.

Rollercoaster

The Stars have moments that are so horrible, but then they have times like the second period. Everything went right for them and they had sustained positive momentum.

Roussel’s hard work in front of the oppositions’ net made it possible for him to score and cut the Senator’s lead in half. Then mere minutes later Benn’s rocket from the point had eyes that guided it to the back of the net as well. Just like that the game, that looked to be an uphill battle after the first, was tied.

This rollercoaster-like display of play proves to embody the Stars. They are unpredictable to say the least and it is team-wide.

Forwards can go on scoring streaks and have incredible offensive outings one night, only to be shutout with few chances the next. Defenders can play an odd man rush horrendously to open a period and then break up odd man rushes flawlessly just minutes later.

Same goes for the goaltenders. Both Lehtonen and Antti Niemi are guilty of playing out of their minds sometimes and looking like a lost kid in a supermarket at others. This level of inconsistency is one that takes the cake in regards to severity.

Unfortunately for the Stars, it has not worked out in their favor. It would be one thing if the drastic contrast between the highs and lows yielded points, but for Dallas it has been stagnant confusion. As is the conclusion of tonight’s extremely odd game.

Next Game

The Stars will head home to host the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday in hopes of earning two very valuable points in the standings.