Stars Latest Epic Comeback Earns a Point in Shootout Loss to Wild

When the Dallas Stars go down by two, three, or even four goals, the game is far from over. That was once again the case on Sunday against the Minnesota Wild. 

The Wild used three goals in 2:50 and an early third-period tally to open up a 5-1 lead, which they maintained until about midway through the period. 

“For me, the story was kind of the first period,” Stars Head Coach Pete DeBoer said. “I thought we came out pretty well. There were penalties both ways. We didn’t capitalize on the power play, they had a power play goal and a shorthanded goal through the first two periods. You’re going to be in trouble if not only are they scoring on the power play, but you’re giving up shorthanded goals too.” 

But Dallas got one back when Joe Pavelski made a slick 2-on-1 saucer pass over to Roope Hintz, who scored his second of the game. It was the first of three assists for Pavelski and Hintz was not done. 38 seconds later, Jason Robertson outwaited Marc-Andre Fleury and tucked a puck in from behind the icing line. 

Read More: Jason Robertson Watch: Stars Forward Extends 18-Game Point Streak

With 9:55 to go, it was Mason Marchment that pulled Dallas within one and gave them all of the momentum with three goals in 2:43. At that point, it felt like an eventuality that the game would be tied at 5. And it was. 

With an empty net and the extra attacker on the ice, Pavelski tried to find an open Hintz in the bumper position at the high slot. The pass was blocked but Pavelski recovered and got the second attempt on the tape. Hintz did the rest. 

It was the second straight game in which the Stars tallied a hat trick and the most recent example of the comeback potential of the group. 

‘You’ve seen this with this group all year,” DeBoer said. “I don’t think we’re ever out of a game. There’s a confidence in our room that no matter the score or the situation, we can fight our way back in. Proud of our resiliency.”

Read More: Hintz Extension Gives Stars Something They've Lacked For a Long Time 

The two teams went back and forth in a fairly even overtime period, meaning the Stars would play just their second shootout of the season. 

Robertson and Pavelski scored for Dallas while all three Wild shooters beat Scott Wedgewood to give Minnesota the 6-5 victory. 

Wedgewood stopped 11 of 12 wild shots in the third period after coming on in relief of Jake Oettinger. Oettinger struggled in the game, allowing four goals on 16 total shots. 

The Stars moved to 0-5 past 60 minutes (three overtime losses, two shootout losses) this season after they were one of the best in that category in 2021-22. 

“For sure you’re concerned. Every time you lose in a shootout or overtime, it’s a point. I’ve been in situations like this before where it becomes a little bit of a mental block and you just need to win one to get it going the other way. This is the same group that couldn’t lose in overtime or shootout last year down the stretch. We need one to go our way, and I think we probably won't be talking about it again.” 

On the positive side, they stole another point and have lost in regulation just once in their last 11 contests. 

Sam’s Three Stars 

• First Star: Roope Hintz, DAL (3 goals, 1 assist)
• Second Star: Joe Pavelski, DAL (3 assists)
• Third Star: Kirill Kaprizov, MIN (1 goal)

He Said It 

“I like your thinking, thank you,” DeBoer said with a smile when asked about earning a point versus losing a point. “You guys take some notes. For sure. That’s a really critical point and you can’t underestimate the fight in the group.”