The Dallas Stars outplayed the Pittsburgh Penguins for the first two periods, then coasted in the third period for their third straight win.
Sergei Gonchar, Jamie Benn and Rich Peverley all scored for the Stars and Kari Lehtonen stopped all 24 shots. The Pens outhit the Stars but that was the only notable stat that the Penguins led in.
Former Penguin Sergei Gonchar scored a power play goal late in the first period to give the Stars a 1-0 lead. It was a trademark goal for Gonchar as he blasted a slapshot from the center point to the top right corner of the net.
Jamie Benn added his 19th goal of the season just 3:14 into the second period to extend the lead.
Rich Peverley scored seven minutes later off a neutral zone turnover by the Penguins. Shawn Horcoff stole the puck and fed Peverley who raced down the right side of the ice and fired a wrist shot over the left shoulder of Marc-Andre Fleury.
The Stars held a 22-12 shot advantage heading into the third period. The Penguins tilted the ice a bit in the third period but couldn’t get anything past Kari Lehtonen who made save after save on three Pittsburgh power plays.
The lone bright spot for Pittsburgh was Tanner Glass who had a dozen hits in the game.
- The Pens were shutout in Dallas for the first time since 1998.
- The bottom two lines for the Penguins have managed one goal since December 19th.
- The Penguins are now 10-3-1 against the West this season.
Three Stars
- Kari Lehtonen
- Alex Goligoski
- Rich Peverley
Photo courtesy of NHL.com
