The Dallas Stars defeated the Colorado Avalanche 5-3 in Game 2 of the second round of the NHL Playoffs, as the teams will now travel back to Dallas with the series tied 1-1.
Dallas scored four goals within the first two periods of the game to give them a large lead heading into the final 20 minutes of the game, where the Avalanche were productive on offense but could not manage to overcome the deficit.
Each of the teams opened the game playing physically as they combined for 12 total hits within the first 10 minutes of action, with a clear emphasis being placed on the defensive side of the game.
The Stars had their first advantage of the game when Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon received a two-minute penalty for a delay of game; however, Dallas was unable to capitalize on this opportunity as they went scoreless during the power play.
Shortly after, the Avalanche had too many on the ice, as right-wing Zach Parise served a two-minute penalty to give the Stars another power play.
Dallas managed to score a goal less than a minute into this power play, as defenseman Miro Heiskanen sent the puck past Colorado goalie Alexandar Georgiev off the assist from left-wing Jason Robertson and center Roope Hintz with 5:14 left in the period.
This goal was the lone score of the first period, as the Stars went into the intermission with a 1-0 lead.
The Stars opened the second period hot as they managed to score another goal less than two minutes into the action, as Hintz scored on a snap shot off the assist from defenseman Nils Lundkvist and left-wing Mason Marchment with 18:03 left in the period.
Each team took their physicality to another level following this goal, with Stars left wing Jamie Benn laying out Avalanche Devon Toews less than a minute later, prompting the referees to review the play and determine that no foul was committed.
The Stars had yet another opportunity to score during a power play after Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson received a two-minute delay of game penalty sending the puck over the glass.
Dallas once again failed to score on this advantage as they held onto a 2-0 lead with 10 minutes remaining in the second period.
The power play opportunities continued for the Stars, as Avalanche defenseman Sean Walker received two minutes in the penalty box for a slashing penalty against Stars center Wyatt Johnston.
This opportunity was different for the Stars, as Heiskanen launched the puck into the goal shortly after off the assist from Benn and Hintz with 4:06 left in the game.
The Stars were not done there, as right-wing Tyler Seguin scored another goal with 1:56 left in the period, helping guide Dallas into the final portion of the game with a 4-0 lead.
Dallas entered the final period of the game looking to hold onto their big lead against a team that has had massive success in the third period during these playoffs, as the Avalanche had outscored their opponents 14-4 during these timeframes entering this game.
Colorado looked to begin their comeback with an early goal by right wing Joel Kiviranta, cutting the Stars’ lead to 4-1 with 15:54 remaining in the final period.
The Avalanche looked to keep their momentum going, but another mental error came as they had too many men on the ice, resulting in another two-minute power play for the Stars as Avalanche center Ross Colton was forced out of the game.
However, the Stars were unable to convert on the advantage, as they only managed one shot on goal during the power play as their 4-1 lead remained intact with 12:41 remaining.
This lead did not last long after Avalanche left wing Brandon Duhaime sent the puck past Stars goalie Jake Oettinger off an assist from left-wing Andrew Cogliano to cut the lead to just 4-2 with 12 minutes remaining.
Dallas increased their defensive pressure for the next few minutes of game time, but the Avalanche scored yet another goal as the Stars led 4-3 with only 3:44 remaining in the game.
This score came off a goal from right-wing Valeri Nichushkin when the puck deflected off his teammate’s leg and past Oettinger for the score, with the assist being credited to right-wing Artturi Lehkonen and center Casey Mittelstadt.
Colorado looked to tie the game up in the final two minutes as they opted to sub out Georgiev in favor of an extra offensive player; however, the empty net strategy was unsuccessful as Stars defenseman Esa Lindell sent the puck nearly the entire length of the ice to extend their lead to 5-3 off an assist from Hintz.
Dallas held this lead until the end of the game, as Hintz had one of the most impressive games of his career with one goal and three assists.
The Stars’ Game 2 victory ties the series 1-1 as the two teams now travel to Dallas for Games 3 and 4, with the next game scheduled to take place on Saturday at 9 p.m. in American Airlines Center.
