In Denver Saturday, the much-maligned Dallas Stars’ goalie tandem was vindicated when Kari Lehtonen stopped all 23 shots he faced in Stars 3-0 win over the Colorado Avalanche.
“It’s nice,” Lehtonen said, “but it was really like a whole team shutout. We took some chances in the first [period], but then after that we just played really solid. We didn’t try anything stupid when it wasn’t there, and then when we had something we tried to make a play. For us it’s a step in the right direction and something we hope we can build on.”
Curtis McKenzie got the game-winner early in the first period.
“From start to finish we played the game the right way, we got the lead and continued to play the game the right way, which was important,” Stars coach Lindy Ruff said. “We didn’t give up any big plays, we got a big power-play goal. I liked five of our [previous] six periods and tonight I liked all three and we finally got rewarded. It was good to see us play that well away from the puck.”
Tyler Seguin also scored a power play goal and Patrick Eaves scored into an empty net to seal it for Dallas.
“Feels good to contribute and do what I’m supposed to do,” Seguin said.
Neither team has played well this season but the Stars can lean on the walking wounded excuse.
The Avs went 0-4-1 on their five-game homestand.
WATCH: All Stars vs. Avalanche highlights
“Just playing horrible hockey,” Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon said. “It starts with us, key guys … all of us need to be better. We haven’t been good this homestand, we’ve been pretty bad. The top guys need to be the top guys, that’s how you win, not trying to force things.
“I’m not saying we’re approaching with a losing mindset, but we’re definitely tentative, especially in the first period. I don’t think we’ve scored the first goal in I don’t know how long, but it’s been bad.”
Colorado fell to 9-13-1 on the season.
“We’re creating some chances and we’re not capitalizing on them, and when other teams are getting them, they are,” Colorado head coach Jared Bednar said after the game. “We have opportunities on the power play to get back in the game and I didn’t feel it was good enough. We’re not creating enough chances on that, we’re not making the difference on the power play, and that’s how other teams are hurting us.”
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