Dallas, TX (SportsNetwork.com) – Jamie Benn led the way with two goals and one
assist, and Dallas survived a late challenge from Los Angeles to claim a 5-4
victory at American Airlines Center.
Tyler Seguin and John Klingberg totaled a score and helper each for the Stars,
who almost blew an early four-goal lead but held on to record back-to-back
home wins for the first time all season.
“We’re really confident here lately,” said Seguin. “There’s been games there
where we were down in the third and we didn’t get it done, but we’ve come back
a few times now and we’re really building some momentum.”
Jason Demers also tallied, while Cody Eakin added a pair of assists to back
37 saves from Kari Lehtonen.
Justin Williams netted a pair of goals with Kyle Clifford and Jarret Stoll
contributing two assists each for the Kings, whose three-game win streak came
to an end.
Jonathan Quick allowed five goals on only 23 shots in the loss.
“They buried their chances in the first then got some big goals later,” said
Stoll. “We battled, and that’s always a good thing, but we just couldn’t get
that last one.”
Los Angeles went full out in the third period, pouring 16 shots on Lehtonen
in a bid to reduce its deficit from 5-3.
Those efforts bore fruit just past the midway point when Williams netted his
second of the contest. He had several seconds to corral a Dustin Brown
rebound, make several stick fakes and poke a shot past Lehtonen.
Kings forward Jeff Carter took a slashing minor with 1:29 on the clock and
Quick was later pulled to make the sides even, but the visitors didn’t find an
equalizer.
Dallas went to the first intermission up 3-0 thanks to goals 2:41 apart from
Benn and Klingberg at even strength and a power-play strike by Benn on a
screen shot with two seconds left.
Seguin hit the net shy of four minutes played in the second, but the Kings
responded with two scores in 2:44 by Tanner Pearson and Williams to get back
into the contest.
Demers added his first of the year and first as a member of the Stars on the
advantage at 17:53, then Mike Richards brought the visitors within two just 36
seconds later when his centering feed caromed off the stick of Dallas
defenseman Jyrki Jokipakka and through Lehtonen’s legs.
Game Notes
Dallas has won four of its last five matchups with Los Angeles … Klingberg
became the first rookie defenseman to record a four-game point streak since
Rob Zettler did so in 1989-90 for the franchise when it was based in Minnesota
… The Stars look to continue their home success when Edmonton comes calling
on Tuesday, while the Kings continue their brief road sojourn in Nashville
also on Tuesday.
