Alexander is great in lifting Stars to shootout win over Blue Jackets

The Stars on Sunday received great goaltending from Jake Oettinger, a huge goal from Joe Pavelski, and 25 minutes of ice time from both Miro Heiskanen and John Klingberg, so getting a 2-1 shootout win at Columbus was truly a team victory.
But if there was one easy difference between this game and so many frustrating ones before it, it was the presence of Alexander Radulov. The 34-year-old winger returned after missing 15 games with a lower-body injury and had a tangible impact. He played 16:20, had five shots on goal, and won the shootout by being the only shooter to score.
Let's just say, he was noticeable.

WATCH: [All highlights from Stars' shootout win over Blue Jackets]
"It shows Rads' value, how much we have missed him in all of those shootouts," said Stars coach Rick Bowness. "That felt really good."
The Stars had lost six straight games that went past regulation, and that was frustrating because they were often the better team in those games. The return of Radulov, however, allowed them to be just a bit better. The return of Radulov allowed them to have just a little bit more confidence.
The Stars are now 9-9-6 on the season, they are 6-2-1 when Radulov is in the lineup.
"Rads has been gone for so long…" Bowness said, pausing. "You don't forget his value to the team, but when you see it, it's, `Wow, we've really missed this.' "

For Radulov, the return wasn't easy. He has an undisclosed lower-body injury that he aggravated in early February. In trying to return, he said he has had to find his game rhythm without much help from regular practices and the interaction those practices bring with his teammates.
But that's the way it is in a year where the COVID pandemic has created all sorts of changes.
"It was hard, different than last season when you had injuries," Radulov said. "It was just hard to come back. We don't have a lot of practices, you've just got to play games. It's fine, I'll get there. I'm tired right now, but it's fine."
Still, even if it was hard for him, Radulov made a difference. Both teammates and coaches commented just how much he brings on the ice, on the bench, and in the dressing room.
"We know about his energy," said Pavelski. "He loves to compete, he loves to play the game, and he definitely adds another dimension to our team, and it was good to get him back. He gave us good hard minutes and did Rads things out there."
That's a funny way of saying it, but every player on the Stars knew exactly what Pavelski was talking about.
"Yeah, he's a one of a kind," said Oettinger, who had 29 saves and moved his record to 4-1-5. "It's unreal. He's such a huge part of this team and to finally have him back is huge. Any guy who has played with him knows he's a beauty, one of a kind guy. He brings so much life to the team, so having him back was huge tonight."

Bowness added: "He was very good on the bench tonight, very supportive of the guys, very aggressive, very positive on the bench. And you just watch him play and there's so much passion and energy in the offensive zone - where we need it - so I thought he was great tonight."
Roope Hintz also returned after missing Saturday's OT loss at Columbus, so that played a role in the win. And to be honest, the team has been playing well and just falling short in going 3-8-5 with Radulov out of the lineup. So, while they didn't need a lot, Radulov was just the right push.
"He wants the puck, and you need that," Bowness said. "We're trying to improve our offensive zone time, which we've done, we're trying to improve our quality chances, which we've done, and you need some guys to finish. Rads brings that extra ingredient. We can spend all the time we want in the offensive zone and create chances, but you need guys to make plays and you need guys who can finish plays."
Even if it goes all the way to the shootout to do it.
Radulov said he was cautious in his return because he didn't want to push the injury too hard. He said he feels good and he is ready to help his team get back into the playoff picture.
"We've put ourselves in that spot, and we've got to fight to get it back," he said. "We've got a good group of guys, a lot of experience, some good young guys with speed and good skills, and a good coaching staff, obviously. I think we're fine, we just have to find our way to win those games when it's 1-1 or 2-2…you just have to find a way.
"Today was a little step, but we get the extra point and that's huge for us."

Up next

vs. Lightning; Tuesday 7:30 p.m. CT
American Airlines Center
TV: FOX Sports Southwest
Radio:The Ticket 96.7-FM, 1310-AM
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club.
Mike Heikais a Senior Staff Writer for DallasStars.com and has covered the Stars since 1994. Follow him on Twitter @MikeHeika, and listen to his podcast.