Stars Easily Defeat Anaheim, 4-1
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by user UNT66
Friday Night at American Airlines Center, the Dallas Stars defeated the Anaheim Ducks, 4-1. With the win, the Stars pulled within two points of the San Jose Sharks, who are second in the Pacific Division.
At 6:57 of the First Period, Newly Acquired Stars Forward Ladislav Nagy scored the initial goal of the contest. Nearly four minutes later, Stars forward tipped in a shot, doubling the home teams advantage.
Fourteen minutes into the second period, Jussi Jokinen tripled the Stars advantage.
Early in the third period, the blow out was confirmed as Jere Lehtinen scored an a breakaway, giving the home team a 4-0 lead.
Only a goal from Anaheim's Corey Perry with 4:25 left in the contest kept Stars Goaltender Mike Smith from recording another shutout. Smith ended up with 24 saves on Friday Night, earning another victory.
Notes:
When Losing Counts.......
With the win, the Dallas Stars earned their 36th victory of the season, one more then the Division Leading Anaheim Ducks. Yet, the Ducks have more points in the standings thanks to their overtime losses.
With their 35 Wins and 10 overtime losses (80 Points), Anaheim is positioned to win the Division if the Playoffs started today.
For the Stars, Dallas has won 36 games and 3 overtime losses (75 Points), only good enough for 3rd place in the Pacific.
Infact, If you add San Jose to this hypothetical, the Sharks have 38 wins and one overtime loss (74), good enough for second place in the Pacific.
Thus, the Ducks record in the OT and Shootout portions of games have helped them vault past Sharks and Stars. In other words, if you are going to lose a game, you better lose it in Overtime in order to keep up with your divisional foes.
Mike Smith's Pretty Good Against Anaheim:
In His Three Appearances Vs. The Ducks, Mike Smith has been Impressive. Here's the Stats:
0.43 GAA, 98.4% Save Pct%, 2 Wins and 1 Shutout and only one goal allowed.
Infact, Mike Smith went on a 135:15 shutout streak against Anaheim before Corey Perry finally scored in the third period.
Stars excellent against The Pacific:
Against the Pacific Division, the Stars have dominated their own division. Dallas has maintained a record of 18-6-0, the best record of any Pacific Division Teams against their own division.
Injury Woes Continues:
Patrik Stefan will go on the Disabled List after needing Hip Surgery that will end his season. Thus, add Stefan to Modano, Ott and Barnaby to the Disabled List
Endicott, Baumgartner Comes To Dallas:
The Stars acquired Shawn Endicott in a trade with Anaheim and immediately placed him on the Iowa Stars Roster and claimed Nolan Baumgartner off waivers from the Flyers. Baumgartner spent more of this season with the Philadelphia Phantoms, so he should be placed on the Iowa Stars roster as well.
JG
