Granlund's 2 Goals Put Stars Over the Top Against Ducks - The Hockey Writers - Dallas Stars

Game Recap
What’s Next for Ducks and Stars?

The Anaheim Ducks gave the new-look Dallas Stars all they could handle in tonight’s high-scoring affair in Dallas. Nikita Nesterenko and Leo Carlsson netted the goals for Anaheim, while Wyatt Johnston, Mikael Granlund, and Thomas Harley got the goals for Dallas.

The win moved the Stars to 43-21-3 for a 6-3-1 record in their last 10 games. The Ducks picked up a point but were defeated for the second straight game and fell to 3-6-1 in their last 10.

Game Recap

Stars wunderkind Johnston got his team started when he converted the only goal of the opening frame on the power play.

The Ducks owned the second period thanks in large part to their youth. Nesterenko, a recent call-up following the injury to fellow young skater Sam Colangelo, tied the game early in the period. Mikael Granlund tied the game a few minutes later, but Leo Carlsson took it from there with both a power play and a penalty shot goal apiece as the Ducks concluded the period up 3-2.

The Ducks couldn’t hold the lead for long. Harley, another young bright spot in Dallas, tied the game at 3-3 4:37 into the final frame, and it would remain that way until overtime, when Granlund converted his second of the game to give the Stars the win and the extra standings point.

Mikael Granlund Dallas Stars — Mikael Granlund, Dallas Stars (Photo by Glenn James/NHLI via Getty Images)

The result padded the Stars’ hold on second place of the Central Division, who sit four points ahead of the Colorado Avalanche with a game in hand. The Ducks, on the other hand, desperately needed the second point to stay afloat in a crowded wild card race. The overtime loss dropped them to 29-31-8 and nine points out of the second and final spot.

What’s Next for Ducks and Stars?

The Ducks will complete their three-game road trip with a stop in Nashville for their second game in seven days against the Predators. The Ducks are 2-0-0 against them this season and will go for the sweep on Thursday in their only game at Bridgestone Arena this season.

The Stars, meanwhile, will also return to action on Thursday when they host the Tampa Bay Lightning. The former Stanley Cup Final combatants (2020) last played one another on Nov. 23, a game which the Stars won 4-2.