DALLAS — In a decisive performance, Roope Hintz initiated a powerful third-period surge for the Dallas Stars, contributing to a 6-2 victory over the Calgary Flames on Sunday night. This burst of four goals included two from Thomas Harley, who made a significant impact on the ice. Hintz’s goal came at 5:13 in the period when he deftly redirected a puck past Calgary’s goaltender, Dustin Wolf, after a quick exchange with Esa Lindell.
Alongside Hintz, Jason Robertson added both a goal and an assist, while Wyatt Johnston and Sam Steel also found the back of the net for the Stars. This win marked the start of a lengthy six-game homestand for Dallas, setting a positive tone for the weeks ahead. Jake Oettinger was solid in goal, recording 29 saves and maintaining an undefeated record this season at the American Airlines Center, marking his 14th win overall, placing him among the top goaltenders in the NHL.
Calgary managed to score through Jonathan Huberdeau, who got on the board just one minute into the game, and Connor Zary added another later on. Wolf, in his rookie season, faced 28 shots but ended up with three straight regulation losses after earlier collecting points in six consecutive games.
Johnston’s score in the first period was a notable shorthanded goal occurring just three seconds after a 4-on-4 situation, while Robertson’s goal in the second came shortly after he exited the penalty box, demonstrating his readiness as he charged toward the net, avoiding a close backcheck from Martin Pospisil. Additionally, Harley recorded his first multigoal game of the season, underscoring his growing role on the team, while rookie Oskar Back contributed with two assists to the final score.
In terms of takeaways, the Flames’ struggles on the road continued as they fell to 0-5-3 over their last eight away games, also conceding their fourth shorthanded goal of the season. For the Stars, Robertson broke out of an eight-game scoring drought, although the team’s power play remained an area of concern, finishing 0 for 4 against what has been a poor home power play rate.
A pivotal moment in the game came when Flames defensemen Kevin Bahl and Jakob Pelletier failed to clear the crease, allowing Lindell to connect with Hintz for the score that ultimately shifted momentum in favor of Dallas. Historically, the Stars had been unable to secure victories against the Flames at home, losing the previous six regular-season matchups since the 2019-20 season.
Looking ahead, the Flames are set to face the Nashville Predators on Tuesday before they enter a challenging five-game homestand, while the Stars will also be hosting Nashville on Thursday, eager to continue their winning ways.
