SAN JOSE, Calif. — Matt Duchene netted two goals as the Dallas Stars dominated the San Jose Sharks with an 8-3 victory on Saturday night, marking a strong turnaround after the Stars had suffered a 5-4 shootout defeat in Los Angeles just a day earlier.
Early in the game, the Sharks took a surprising lead, scoring on their first two shots thanks to goals from William Eklund and Fabian Zetterlund within the first three minutes. However, the Stars quickly shifted momentum with three unanswered goals from Duchene, Jason Robertson, and Mason Marchment in a flurry of offensive action that propelled them to a 3-2 lead by the end of the first period.
In the second period, Duchene extended the lead by scoring on a power play, followed by another goal from Mavrik Bourque. Overall, the Stars showcased their offensive strength with contributions from multiple players, including Wyatt Johnston, Thomas Harley, and Jamie Benn. Goaltender Casey DeSmith made 23 saves to ensure the win.
Notably, Mikael Granlund and Cody Ceci, who had recently been traded to the Stars, faced their former team. Granlund made an impact by providing two assists in the game.
Key Takeaways: The Stars are anticipating a much-needed break from the 4 Nations tournament, which coincides with an opportunity for players like Ilya Lyubushkin to recover from injuries. However, Miro Heiskanen is reportedly facing a lengthy recovery process after undergoing knee surgery and may be sidelined for an extended period.
Meanwhile, the Sharks are struggling significantly, having lost 10 out of their last 11 games, failing to build on their initial lead against a highly competitive team.
A pivotal moment in the match occurred just minutes into the game when the Stars, down by two goals, managed to shift gears and outshoot the Sharks 16-5 in the first period alone, successfully taking control of the gameplay thereafter.
In terms of notable statistics, rookie Macklin Celebrini assisted on the Sharks’ first goal, reaching a milestone of 40 points. He is the fifth rookie in the franchise’s history to achieve this feat and the first since Logan Couture in the 2010-11 season.
Looking ahead, the Stars will take a break for the 4 Nations Face-off, with their next game scheduled against New Jersey on February 22. The Sharks will return to action facing Calgary on February 23.
