DALLAS — With Jamie Benn getting a night off Devin Shore had an opportunity to play on the top line with Alexander Radulov and Tyler Seguin in the Dallas Stars 4-1 preseason win against the Minnesota Wild.
“Its an honor,” Shore said. “It’s no secret how talented those two guys are and how hard they work. I was trying to bring my compete level to match theres and step in and try to help out, and then go to the net because they can do some pretty special things with the puck.”
And Shore took full advantage of that opportunity.
Shore controlled zone entries, made creatives passes, and didn’t look out of place playing with a pair of marquee players as that top line dominated possession. He would have had an assist in the first period if Alex Stalock didn’t make a sharp save on Seguin, and he drew a pair of penalties with his skating ability.
In the second period Shore and Radulov teamed on a zone entry up to set up Seguin’s goal that made it 2-0. It was a picturesque weaving play where Radulov held the puck over the blue line, allowed Shore to create space, and made a smart give-and-go pass that led to a shot and goal.
“Shore is the type of player, he’s got such a tremendous work ethic and conscious he just sets the table, whatever line he plays on,” Stars coach Ken Hitchcock said. “So he’s gonna help anybody from a working standpoint.”
Once the season starts opportunities to play with Seguin and Radulov will be slim, but Shore has proven he can play anywhere in the lineup and he could be a prime candidate to play with Martin Hanzal once the big center returns from an ankle injury.
Postgame thoughts
Lehtonen strong again
Kari Lehtonen made 32 saves and had another strong preseason performance.
Lehtonen has been quite good after starting the preseason by allowing three shots on the first three shots against the Colorado Avalanche. Over his last seven periods of hockey the goalie has looked confident, composed, and controlled rebounds well.
“You’re trying to build a little base so couple games certainly help,” Lehtonen said. “So go back to those when I play again and I can think about last two games … it’s been going after a rusty start there in the first game.”
He made a handful of key saves in the third period as he stopped 13 shots and Dallas held on for the win.
In three preseason game Lehtonen has stopped 69 of 74 shots and has a shutout.
Odds and end boards
– The end boards at American Airlines Center seem bouncier than past seasons. In both preseason games this week, including a goal by Brett Ritchie on Monday, the end boards created a confusing bounce for the opposing goalie and led to a scoring chance.
– Greg Pateryn had a strong game. He’s often the forgotten defender in the race for a roster spot, but he’s played a solid game so far and could be the ideal seventh defender on the roster.
– This was not a good Wild team. Minnesota only had six players on Tuesday’s roster that are expected to be in the opening night lineup.
– Esa Lindell had a game-high 14 shot attempts. After the game Hitchcock said Seguin has had 20 scoring chances in the last two games.
– Dallas won 40 of the 72 face-offs in the game. Every player was at 50 percent or better, including a 71-percent showing by Jason Spezza on 14 draws.
First period
0:56 Tyler Pitlick made a nifty move around Gustav Olofsson and skate in a breakaway before beating Alex Stalock with a wrist shot. Stars 1, Wild 0
Second period
9:52 Tyler Seguin scored on a rebound after a sharp angle shot by Alexander Radulov. Radulov and Devin Shore set up the goal with a slick zone entry and passing play. Stars 2, Wild 0
11:17 Jason Dickinson scored on a rush after a stretch pass from Greg Pateryn. Stars 3, Wild 0
Third period
0:36 Jason Zucker scored early in the the third period to break the shutout. Stars 3, Wild 1
18:17 Tyler Seguin scored into the empty net. Stars 4, Wild 1
Stars lineup
Devin Shore — Tyler Seguin — Alexander Radulov
Mattias Janmark — Jason Spezza — Brett Ritchie
Antoine Roussel — Gemel Smith — Tyler Pitlick
Remi Elie — Roope Hintz — Jason Dickinson
Esa Lindell — John Klingberg
Jamie Oleksiak — Greg Pateryn
Stephen Johns — Julius Honka
Kari Lehtonen
Ben Bishop
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