Special teams have been a point of emphasis for the Dallas Stars and for the fourth straight game their top unit scored on the power play.
Problem is most of the game is played at 5-on-5.
And at even strength the Stars now have a 3.6 shooting percentage, second-worst in the league, after a 4-1 loss to the Nashville Predators.
The Stars were the better team in the first period but couldn’t capitalize during 5-on-5 play and only led 1-0 after 20 minutes.
That gave Nashville an opportunity to take over in the final two periods and the Predators took advantage as they scored three straight goals.
While possession was there in spurts, the Stars didn’t have many quality chances and Antoine Roussel missed a wide-open empty net that should have tied the game.
Postgame video
Review coming
Martin Hanzal was called for interference in the first period on a high hit against Yannick Weber.
Hanzal hit on Weber. 5 minute major for this hit. pic.twitter.com/29jAHbTjyu
— Dylan Nadwodny (@dnadders) October 13, 2017
Since it was a five-minute major it will be automatically reviewed by the league.
It’s a tough play to dissect. While Hanzal makes contact with Weber’s head, the Predators player is ducking down right before contact.
The goals
First Period
8:04 Jamie Benn scored on the power play. Stars 1, Predators 0
Jamie Benn whacks away at a puck in front of Rinne and it slides past to put the Stars up 1-0 on the power play. pic.twitter.com/AhprRFYKWj
— Dylan Nadwodny (@dnadders) October 13, 2017
Second Period
3:57 Samuel Girard scored his first career goal on a point shot. Predators 1, Stars 1
This one just beats Bishop high blocker side. pic.twitter.com/nuBAZhlyXT
— Dylan Nadwodny (@dnadders) October 13, 2017
6:21 Filip Forsberg scored on a rebound on the power play. Predators 2, Stars 1
Bishop gets caught sprawling and Forsberg gets the rebound to put the Predators up on the power play 2-1. pic.twitter.com/8QXkQ0h9WV
— Dylan Nadwodny (@dnadders) October 13, 2017
Third Period
15:09 Viktor Arvidsson took advantage of a turnover by Alexander Radulov and the Predators took a 3-1 lead. Predators 3, Stars 1
18:06 P.K. Subban iced the game with an empty net goal. Predators 4, Stars 1
Stars lineup
Jamie Benn — Tyler Seguin — Alexander Radulov
Remi Elie — Jason Spezza — Brett Ritchie
Mattias Janmark — Martin Hanzal — Devin Shore
Antoine Roussel — Radek Faksa — Tyler Pitlick
Esa Lindell — John Klingberg
Marc Methot — Stephen Johns
Jamie Oleksiak — Julius Honka
Ben Bishop
Kari Lehtonen
Scratched: Greg Pateryn, Gemel Smith
Injured: Dan Hamhuis (groin)
Predators lineup
Filip Forsberg — Ryan Johansen — Viktor Arvidsson
Scott Hartnell — Nick Bonino — Pontus Aberg
Craig Smith — Calle Jarnkrok — Kevin Fiala
Cody McLeod — Austin Watson — Miikka Salomaki
Alexei Emelin — P.K. Subban
Mattias Ekholm — Samuel Girard
Matt Irwin — Yannick Weber
Pekka Rinne
Juuse Saros
Scratched: Anthony Bitetto
Injured: Ryan Ellis (knee), Roman Josi (lower body), Colton Sissons (lower body)
Justin.schmidt24 says
Biggest difference this year seems to be effort and support. The first period we had alot if both. It’s how we got through that 5min maj. But then we kinda slacked off, got out if position and were not supporting each other and that’s when the breakdowns happened. Lots if turnovers in our own end didn’t help
Sean Shapiro says
Agreed on the effort, it’s been much better at the start of games this season. Key is maintaining that in road game and getting through adversity. Talked to Spezza about that today, players tend to agree. They aren’t happy with 1-3, but see things getting better soon.