Red Wings use power play to defeat Stars

DETROIT-- Dylan Larkin and Anthony Mantha each scored a power-play goal for the Detroit Red Wings in a 3-1 win against the Dallas Stars at Joe Louis Arena on Tuesday.
The Red Wings (11-10-2) hadn't scored on the power play in their past five games. Petr Mrazek made 34 saves, including 17 in the third period.
"That was a special-teams win, plus our goalie was real good," Detroit coach Jeff Blashill said. "You have to be able to win with special teams in this league."

The Stars (9-9-6) lost for the second straight night. Kari Lehtonen made 17 saves, and Esa Lindell scored.
"If we play like that every night, we're going to win a lot of games," Dallas coach Lindy Ruff said. "We just didn't put the puck in the net."
WATCH: All Stars vs. Red Wings highlights
The Stars were 0-for-5 on the power play; the Red Wings were 2-for-4.
"I thought we had great energy, especially after playing last night," Dallas forward Patrick Sharp said. "Our special teams just need to be better. You can't give up two power-play goals and not get one back."
Dallas took a 1-0 lead 16 seconds into the first period on Lindell's second NHL goal. His shot from the left faceoff circle hit the skate of Red Wings defenseman Mike Green and deflected over Mrazek's shoulder.

Larkin made it 1-1 at 19:21 with another deflection. Larkin's shot from the point was headed wide until it bounced off the skate of Stars defenseman Jordie Benn.
"I just tried to stay calm," Mrazek said. "It happens."
The Red Wings took a 2-1 lead at 7:56 of the second period. Mantha passed to Henrik Zetterberg and drove to the net, where he knocked in Zetterberg's return pass for his third goal.
"I saw [Henrik] was open, so I gave him the puck and I thought he was going to shoot," Mantha said. "He decided to give it back and gave me an empty net. That was a great play from the whole unit."
Dallas had back-to-back power plays in the third period, including 46 seconds with a two-man advantage, but did not score.
"I had two really good looks and didn't do anything with either of them," Stars forward Jason Spezza said. "That's the point of the game where I'm paid to put the puck in the net."
Steve Ott scored into an empty net with 1:03 to play for a 3-1 lead.
Dallas lost to the St. Louis Blues 4-3 in overtime on Monday.

Goal of the game

Zetterberg is 36 years old and has lost some speed but his passing touch is still sharp. On Mantha's goal, Zetterberg waited long enough to draw Lehtonen toward him then put the puck onto his teammate's stick for an easy goal.

#

Save of the game

Lehtonen protected a 1-0 lead late in the first period with a save on Thomas Vanek. The Red Wings had a 3-on-2, and Gustav Nyquist slid a cross-ice pass to Vanek, but Lehtonen moved across the crease and made the save with his chest and right arm.

#

Highlight of the game

Larkin's power-play goal was Detroit's first in 15 attempts and third in 31 tries. Frans Nielsen won the faceoff to the point, where Larkin and Mike Green exchanged passes before Larkin's shot.

#

Unsung moment of the game

Defenseman Danny DeKeyser kept the Red Wings ahead with a deflection during a Stars power play in the second period. Spezza slid a quick pass across the crease to Jamie Benn, who had an open side of the net, but DeKeyser tipped the shot into Mrazek's pads.

#

They said it

"Our penalty killers did a great job in the third period, but Petr was our best penalty killer. He stood on his head tonight." -- Red Wings forward Dylan Larkin
"They got two on the power play and we got none. That's a great way to lose a hockey game." -- Stars forward Jason Spezza
"When you give up an early goal, you know there is a ton of time left. You just have to stay focused and play good hockey." -- Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill on trailing 1-0 after 16 seconds

#

Need to know

Stars defenseman Stephen Johns left the game in the third period after sustaining a facial laceration in a collision with Zetterberg. Ruff didn't have an update on Johns after the game. … Lindell has scored twice in the past three games after going 16 games before his first. … Red Wings forward Tomas Jurco played for the first time this season after a back injury. He had one shot in a Detroit-low 9:22. … Dallas defenseman John Klingberg was a healthy scratch. "He hasn't played well enough," Ruff said. … Dallas television announcer Dave Strader, who has bile-duct cancer, made intermission appearances on each broadcast. Strader, who broadcast Detroit games from 1985-96, received an ovation from the crowd.

#

What's next

Stars: At the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday (7 p.m. ET; SN360, ROOT, FS-SW+, NHL.TV)
Red Wings: Host the Florida Panthers on Thursday (7:30 p.m. ET; FS-F, FS-D, NHL.TV)