But this team has bounced back from allowing the first goal 14 times to win a game, so that surely wouldn't be last you heard from the Stars. And yet, there was no real response, no immediate answer. Dallas was outshot 7-2 in the first 10 minutes and got down 2-0 when Mika Zibanejad scored his 40th goal of the season at the 10:12 mark.
"Tough to give up the first goal that early and the second goal was just a weak play by myself," said forward Blake Comeau. "So, to be down by two goals to start off the game was not ideal. We talked about it after the game, we have to figure out a way to get off to a better start. Individually, just look at yourself and figure out how to be ready at the start of the game."
The Stars seemed positioned to roar out of the first intermission with some real steam. After all, this team was 11-12-1 when trailing after one period heading into Tuesday.
But, once again, nothing.
The Rangers dominated play, they kept the puck in the offensive zone, and they forced the Stars to scramble just to avoid a third goal. That tally inevitably happened at the 7:03 mark of the second period, and a fourth goal followed at the 17:18 mark. Both were monumental team breakdowns that left Bishop exposed. Both were demoralizing examples that could allow you to call this one of the worst games of the season.
The Stars did rally back in the third period, holding a 13-8 advantage in shots on goal and getting tallies for Roope Hintz and Andrew Cogliano. On the good side, the Stars did break their scoreless drought, and did build some momentum.
On the realistic side, they scored two late goals against a team that was trying to take a win and end their own 1-4-0 slump.