The Dallas Stars were looking at a 2–1 series hole until their star-studded special teams took over.
Despite being outshot (61-60) and outscored (6-3) at 5-on-5, the Stars' power play has been extremely hot in this series and scored three times in their 4-3, double-OT win over the Minnesota Wild in Game 3 on Wednesday in St. Paul, Minn.
Wyatt Johnson scored the game-winner on the power play at 12:10 of the second extra session. The Stars have won two consecutive matches and now lead the best-of-7 series 2-1.
Game 4 takes place Saturday at 4:30 pm CT in St. Paul.
stars power play is on
Dallas PP picks up where it left off in the regular season.
The Stars ranked second in the NHL during the regular season in power-play efficiency (28.6%), trailing only the historically great Edmonton Oilers (30.6). But where the Oilers' man-advantage has faltered through two games, the Stars' development is thriving.
Dallas is 6 of 17 (35.3%) on the power play in its series and has scored multiple man-up goals in each of its last two wins. Johnson and teammate Matt Duchene have a pair of power-play goals in the series and superstar wing Jason Robertson also scored on the power play in Game 1.
"When you get opportunities, it's important to take them," Johnson said. "Nice to have him [in double OT]. “I was just trying to move forward and do whatever I can to help.”
Duchene's man-up goal gave Dallas the lead for good in a 4–2 win over Minnesota in Game 2, but his power-play marker in Game 3 set the stage for Johnston's heroics.
The Stars trailed 3–2 in the final seconds of the third period on a PP after Bobby Brink tipped Radek Faksa at 8:27. Dallas had failed on three consecutive second period power plays which gave the Wild enough momentum to take the lead late in the second period.
"This is the time of year you've got to stick with it. You can't get frustrated," Stars coach Glenn Gulutzan said. “We are playing against an elite team and elite class [penalty] Killer. The swings are going to go in that direction. It is not going to be an easy journey.”
It was Dallas' only PP in the third period or first overtime – meanwhile, the Wild had five man-advantages in that period. But Duchesne got a sharp-angle shot past Minnesota goalie Jesper Wallstad on a great cross-slot pass from Mikko Rantanen, tying the game.
"Quite important," said Duchene of the power-play contribution. "We were just living with it. This team, I've talked about how balanced we are, and it feels even more calm than in years past, just how patient and in the moment we are."
Stars penalty kill has also been very good
Special teams can be a big X-factor in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
A strong or shaky power play can turn the momentum of a game or series, especially if a result starts snowballing.
So even though the Stars have given Minnesota 15 man-advantages in the series, and been shorthanded seven times in Game 3, after going 2 of 4 in Game 1 they have answered the bell by shutting down 10 of the Wild's last 11 power plays.
“Our special teams have been excellent,” Gulutzan said.
Additionally, the Stars PK faced three potentially game-changing situations after Duchene tied the game. Rantanen first went to the penalty box for tripping at 12:30 of the third period, then forwards Sam Steele and Jamie Benn were each cited in overtime, but Dallas did not even allow a shot against Jake Oettinger on the OT power play.
"I had my head down, looking out of one eye and was just like, 'Oh my God, let us deal with this,'" Duchesne said. "They were incredible. We knew after getting those two we needed to move forward [power plays] In [double] OT.”
Of course, the Wild paid a hefty price to acquire defenseman Quinn Hughes from the Vancouver Canucks earlier this season so he could join Kirill Kaprizov (19 ppg), Matt Boldy (30 power-play points) and Joel Eriksson-Ek (16 ppg). Minnesota finished third in the league in power plays (25.2%), but have been indifferent in their last two losses.
"They've got some great players. It's a talented power play," Gulutzan said. “I thought our guys did a really good job.”
