Jake Oettinger recorded his 15th career shutout as the Dallas Stars knocked off the Winnipeg Jets 3-0 at American Airlines Center. The Stars also swept the season series (4-0) from the Jets for the first time since relocation. Winnipeg will wrap up this four game road trip Saturday in Columbus as they will face Rick Bowness and the Blue Jackets.
STARS POWER PLAY GETS HOME TEAM OFF AND RUNNING
The Dallas Stars came into the night with the second ranked power play in the league this season sitting behind the Edmonton Oilers. With Haydn Fleury in the box for cross-checking, the Stars took advantage at 9:43, Connor Hellebuyck stopped a cross-crease pass but Matt Duchene was there and banked the puck off the Jets goaltender and in for a 1-0 Dallas lead.
The Stars didn’t take long to make it 2-0 on a nice passing play finished off by Artuu Hyry, Dallas took a 2-0 lead into the first intermission after outshooting the Jets 11-4.
“Yeah, I mean, just cleaning some things up, just getting into the game, whether it takes, just hitting a guy in the first shift, or just cleaning up, executing and making sure, we started off a little slow,” said Dylan Samberg.
“And we've been playing at that fast pace and jamming it down the other team's throat kind of game recently, and it's been working for us. And obviously we didn't have that start that we wanted.”
NO LUCK FOR KC IN THE SECOND
Kyle Connor had a few chances to get the Jets on the board with Dallas up 3-0, first Connor’s shot would go off the goal post during a Winnipeg power play. With four minutes left in the period, Josh Morrissey found Connor in the slot and this time Jake Oettinger denied the Jets sniper. Winnipeg entered Thursday’s contest with four different players holding a multi-game point streak, Connor, Morrissey, and Cole Perfetti each held a five-game point streak while Mark Scheifele had points in his last four. Those streaks clearly all came to an end on Thursday night in Dallas.
LOSS OF SALO
Jets rookie defenceman Elias Salomonsson has been very consistent with his play in the NHL this season. But in the second period, the Swedish blueliner took a massive hit from Stars forward Jason Robertson and did not return to the game. After the contest, Adam Lowry had some thoughts on the hit from Robertson.
"It's a tough one, because by rule of law, it's a legal hit. But, it's one of those ones where, as a defending player, you can't hit the guy with his face to the wall, but he can hit you," said Lowry.
"And generally, I find those hits kind of hit you in the head and neck area. It's generally name bar into the chin. It's tough to see Salo go down, he's played well for us all year."
