The Stars are trying to implement Montgomery's style of play, and that includes not only an emphasis on puck possession, but on playing fast and making quick decisions. After three days of practice in Boise, Idaho and a morning skate that concentrated on special teams, there seemed the need for more work.
Dallas struggled with reads and with feel early on, and were saved by the work of Ben Bishop and Landon Bow in goal. By the third period, the Stars were flying on emotion and rallied to score the final three goals of the game.
Tyler Seguin scored on a power play through a maze of bodies, Jason Spezza converted a nice pass from Valeri Nichushkin, and Alexander Radulov scored into an empty net, his second goal of the game. It was an energetic finish in front of the home crowd.
"I know as a coach you're trying to balance how much you want to implement versus playing fast," Montgomery said. "Maybe we put too much at them but we weren't very fast tonight. We saw players thinking out there and I don't want players thinking, I want players playing on instinct. I thought in the third period, after two rather lackluster periods, we at least brought emotion. We still didn't make incredible plays but because of the emotion and second-and-third efforts, we got back in the game and were able to prevail."