It took overtime but the Los Angeles found their first win of the season in Dallas when they defeated the Stars, 4-3.
Alec Martinez found the back of the net with 1:20 gone in the extra session to finally put a stop to a three-game skid to open the new campaign.
Peter Budaj got the win for LA with 17 saves.
“We know what kind of group of guys we have. This wasn’t us, starting 0-3. We definitely showed today in a hot building against a very good team we came out hard,” Budaj said. “We outshoot them and we played a real strong defensive game. It was great to see the guys have that desperation.”
Nic Dowd, Jeff Carter and Jeff Carter scored for LA in regulation.
The Kings were 1-for-6 on the power play while the Stars went 1-for-4.
“The rest of the game was a battle. Considering we lost a couple players, it was a battle. Too many penalties, but I liked how hard we battled. You kill too many penalties, it kills the rhythm,” Stars coach Lindy Ruff said.
Radek Faksa and Jamie Benn scored for the Stars.
Jason Spezza’s goal as time was winding down in the third tied the game at three all and salvaged at least a point for the Stars.
“It would have been a good feel-good win for us if we had pulled that out in overtime,” Spezza said. “That makes it more frustrating, because it could have been a pretty good feeling.”
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