In a thrilling clash of ice giants, Jason Robertson ended his 10-match scoreless streak by not only netting a goal but also assisting two, in a match that saw the Dallas Stars outshine the San Jose Sharks in a 5-2 victory on Wednesday night. This marked Robertson’s first multipoint match since Oct. 19, reinforcing his key role in the Stars’ lineup.
Key Players in the Stars’ Victory
Roope Hintz and Wyatt Johnston were also instrumental in the Stars’ victory, each contributing a goal and an assist. Jamie Benn and Evgenii Dadonov further bolstered the scoreline for the Stars. Jake Oettinger, the Stars’ goalie, had a busy night with 20 saves, extending his flawless 7-0-0 home record and conceding only 10 goals in total.
Sharks’ Effort Falls Short
The Sharks put up a spirited fight, with Mikael Granlund achieving a short-handed goal and his 400th career assist. Jake Walman added to the Sharks’ tally, while goalie Mackenzie Blackwood stopped 26 shots. However, their efforts were insufficient to fend off the Stars’ offensive onslaught.
Turning Points and Highlights
With 6:35 remaining on the clock in the third period and the Sharks trailing by a narrow margin, Hintz and Dadonov sealed the Stars’ victory with empty-net goals in the final 90 seconds. Robertson opened the scoring for Dallas with less than five minutes remaining in the first period and assisted Johnston’s goal just 56 seconds into the second period, securing a 2-1 lead for the Stars.
Injuries and Updates
Granlund left the ice after being hit high by Ilya Lyubushkin with three minutes left in the match. His condition remained uncertain as Coach Ryan Warsofky did not provide an update post-match.
Takeaways and Key Stats
The Sharks’ Macklin Celebrini, the recent No. 1 overall draft pick, managed a single shot on goal, split 14 faceoffs, and drew a penalty. The Stars’ home power play continues to struggle, failing to convert any of their four opportunities and even conceding a goal. They now sit at 2 for 27 (7.4%), with their last 14 power plays yielding no goals.
Despite this, the Stars boast an impressive 8-2 home record, with one loss occurring during the Global Series played in Finland as the designated home team.
What’s Next?
The Sharks will face off against St. Louis on Thursday, while the Stars will visit Tampa Bay on Saturday, kicking off a three-game trip.
