Wedgewood makes 35 saves, Stars hand Devils 3rd loss in row

Scott Wedgewood made 35 saves, and the Dallas Stars handed the New Jersey Devils their third consecutive loss with a 4-1 win at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, on Tuesday.

Wedgewood has allowed one goal on 63 shots in two games against his former team; he was 5-11-5 in three seasons with New Jersey across two different stints (2015-16, 2020-22)
"It's obviously a place I consider home," Wedgewood said. "Drafted in [2010], traded away in [2017]. Back again, waivered away. … It's just a place that's near and dear to my heart. It's obviously a fun little challenge, but coming away with a win is a big part of it. It's nice to be back."
Ty Dellandrea and Roope Hintz scored for the Stars (17-8-5), who have won three of their past four games. They played the second of a back to back after losing 2-1 at the Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday.
Akira Schmid made 28 saves, and Miles Wood scored for the Devils (21-6-2), who have lost three straight for the first time this season. Jack Hughes' point streak ended at eight games (eight goals, five assists).
"We had some opportunities while we were down," New Jersey coach Lindy Ruff said. "Our desperation to get inside and our offensive zone play, I didn't think were at a high enough level. Even our rush chances, we had a few where we stayed outside and chose the outside shot where I thought we could've gone inside."

Dellandrea gave Dallas a 1-0 lead at 6:03 of the second period, tipping a point shot from Ryan Suter.
"I think we have a good team," Suter said. "When we play the right way and not turn the puck over, and break out well and do all the things that we've been working on these first, I don't know, 30 games. When we do those, we can play with anyone."
Wood tied it 1-1 at 7:55, deflecting a shot from Kevin Bahl to end his 13-game goal drought.
Hintz put the Stars back in front 2-1 at 19:57 after Miro Heiskanen's shot off the crossbar landed in the crease for Hintz to poke in on a backhand just before the period could end.
"It's tough to lose like that," Schmid said. "We played a good game. It just didn't go in for us today. … We've still got 20 minutes to score one goal to tie it. Obviously, it hurts if it's one second at the end of the period. But we've just got to find a way. We kind of did, but it just didn't go in today."
Yegor Sharangovich nearly tied it at 10:12 of the third period. Jesper Bratt carried the puck below the goal line before passing back through the crease to Sharangovich for a snap shot, but Wedgewood froze it after making a pad save.
"I thought it was a tight game," New Jersey forward Erik Haula said. "There were chances on both sides. It's just how it's going right now. … I feel like we've been a pretty good scoring team all year. I don't think it's necessarily about what we need to do offensively."

Esa Lindell made it 3-1 with 1:09 remaining on an empty-net goal from the other end after Wedgewood made a save on a one-timer from Dougie Hamilton five seconds earlier.
Mason Marchment scored another empty-net goal with 12 seconds left for the 4-1 final.
"It was a disappointing result last night [against Pittsburgh], but I thought we played a heck of a game on the road against a real good team," Dallas coach Peter DeBoer said. "It was an emotional letdown to lose the way we did. Really tested our resiliency bouncing back here tonight. That's what I was happiest about."
NOTES: Stars forward Jason Robertson has no goals and two assists in his past five games. He last had a goal drought of at least five games when he failed to score in nine straight from March 9-23, 2021. … The teams combined for 35 shots in the second (New Jersey, 20-15) after having 11 in the first. ... Devils defenseman Brendan Smith, who is one game from playing 600 in the NHL, was a healthy scratch. Bahl played for the first time since Dec. 1, and second time since Oct. 24. … New Jersey forward Andreas Johnsson did not have a shot on goal in 5:51 of ice time in his season debut. He replaced forward Alexander Holtz, who was a healthy scratch.