PITTSBURGH — The Dallas Stars delivered a stunning performance on Monday night, defeating the Pittsburgh Penguins with a score of 7-1. Miro Heiskanen led the charge, netting two of the six goals scored by the Stars in the opening period.

Mason Marchment was a standout player, contributing one goal and providing four assists, which played a crucial role in the team’s dominant outing. The Stars had entered the game with a less-than-ideal record, having lost three out of their last four matches. Alongside Heiskanen, Matt Duchene also made his mark by scoring one goal and adding two assists to the tally.

This match marked a significant milestone for the Stars, as it was only the second time in franchise history that they scored six goals in a single first period, with the previous occurrence dating back to March 1971 when the franchise was known as the Minnesota North Stars. Other players who found the net during this explosive period included Tyler Seguin, rookie Logan Stankoven, and Marchment.

Wyatt Johnston added another goal via a power play in the third period, while Jake Oettinger showcased his skills by making 20 saves. Brendan Smith marked a personal achievement by collecting two assists in his 700th game in the NHL.

On the Penguins’ side, Anthony Beauvillier managed to score his fourth goal of the season, but the team struggled on defense. Joel Blomqvist faced difficulties in the net, allowing three goals on eight shots before being replaced, marking the first time he had been benched in eight NHL starts. Alex Nedeljkovic came in but endured a rough start, giving up goals on his first two shots faced, yet he managed to save 26 shots in total.

Notably, this game represented a rare occurrence for the Penguins; it was the first time they had allowed six goals in the first period at home.

**Key Takeaways:**
The Stars successfully rebounded from a disappointing 4-1 loss against Winnipeg just two days prior. Their performance showcased a striking contrast to their previous struggles, having scored just a combined total of six goals in their last three outings.
Conversely, the Penguins have suffered in the past weeks, losing three of their last four games and experiencing a stark decline in performance, having lost nine out of their last 12 matches. Despite a recent strong showing against Washington, the team’s defensive lapses echoed their lackluster performance in a previous defeat against Carolina.

**Key Moment:**
The Stars executed a remarkable run, scoring all six of their first-period goals within just over 16 minutes, leaving the Penguins reeling and unable to respond effectively.

**Key Stat:**
With his four-point performance, Marchment became the eighth player in franchise history to achieve this feat in a single period, tying the franchise record for points in a single period.

**Upcoming Matches:**
The Dallas Stars will take on the Boston Bruins in their next game on Thursday, while the Penguins are set to host the Detroit Red Wings on Wednesday.