The Dallas Stars defeated the Minnesota Wild 7-3 Wednesday night to win Game 2 of their first round playoff series. Here’s what you need to know:
- The Stars led 2-1 after the first period while scoring a total of six goals in the second period. 4-3, the Stars scored two goals 48 seconds apart.
- Stars center Roope Hintz scored a hat trick en route to the win.
- The wild goalie Marc-Andre Fleury prevailed against Filip Gustavsson and allowed seven goals in 31 shots.
- The Stars and Wilds are on their way back to Minnesota for games 3 and 4.
The Athletic’s instant analysis:
flower withered
Common sense for most teams after a franchise-record 51 saves would have been to return with that goaltender in Game 2 for a chance to take the first 2-0 lead in franchise history. However, instead of coming back with Gustavsson, The Wild left with Fleury and he had a rough night. Fleury conceded more than six goals for the sixth time in his playoff career and the first time in 34 playoff games. The seven reached his career high on April 13, 2012, when Pittsburgh played Philadelphia.
He was beaten on the first shot he faced, gave up a poor goal to Jamie Benn and after the Wild reduced a 4-1 deficit to 4-3 with goals from Marcus Johansson and Freddy Gaudreau 11 seconds apart, Fleury gave two goals from 48 seconds apart. Wednesday was the most goals the Wild have ever conceded in a playoff game. — Russo
Penalty problems again
A year after conceding eight goals from 26 power-play attempts in the Round of 16 loss to St. Louis, the Wild have conceded five goals from 11 chances in two games of that series. In Game 1 on Monday, they gave up two goals in nine seconds of power play on the first two tries they face. On Wednesday they missed another three chances to six. Unless the wilds fix this glaring weakness, it’s going to be a long – or rather short – streak. — Russo
Wild needs better from Kaprizov and Zuccarello
A game after missing the last half of Game 1, Kaprizov and Zuccarello fought mightily without center Ryan Hartman, Monday’s double OT hero, who missed the game with a lower body injury. Kaprizov started the night terribly, unnecessarily driving up at the offensive blue line just so he could wait for Zuccarello and force a pass to him. Instead, he turned it over for the first of Hintz’s three goals.
Karizov was giving away pucks all night and only had two shots and was minus 2. Zuccarello was worse. He’s giving away pucks like Halloween candy all game long and remains completely useless offensively. This is after he hasn’t been overwhelming in three postseasons with the Wild (one goal and seven assists in 17 games) and finished that regular season with four goals and 19 assists in his last 38 games. — Russo
Fast start for the stars
Pete DeBoer highlighted the Stars’ lackluster start in Game 1 as one of his main concerns in the loss. The Stars corrected that in Game 2 when Hintz made magic out of a bad situation. The Stars took a penalty in the first five minutes and Hintz scored a goal from a man down. The Stars added another goal early for a 2-0 lead that gave them the start and cushion they needed. — Yousuf
Where the stars get their offensive from
Special teams determined the day for the stars. They had three power play goals and one shorthanded goal, which accounted for more than half of their batting average. It was particularly important without Joe Pavelski, who was injured in Game 1 and didn’t play in Game 2. Tyler Seguin slipped into place on even strength and on the power play. He scored a power-play goal in Pavelski-style fashion and headed home a Jason Robertson shot. — Yousuf
climax of the game
2023 NHL Playoff Bracket
required reading
(Photo: Tom Pennington/Getty Images)