Dallas Stars extend playoff position lead with 3-1 win over Edmonton Oilers -NHL
Dallas Stars rebounded from a shootout loss against Pittsburgh Penguins and took down a young Edmonton Oilers team 3-1 to improve their playoff position in the Western Conference, Friday night, March 2, 2012, at the sold-out Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alberta,
Canada.
It might not have been the most surprising victory for Dallas but they worked towards it in an orthodox way.
"We didn't paint a Picasso, but we were strong when we had to be," said Dallas defenseman Sheldon Souray.
Edmonton had some opportunities throughout the 60-minute contest but Dallas overwhelmed the rookie team till the point of eventually giving up.
"It wasn't our best outing," Dallas coach, Glen Gulutzan, said. "But we've got to take points right now and not worry about how we're getting there. We've got to get points."
After a scoreless first period and failing to capitalise on an ample power play opportunity, Dallas came out with two straight from Radek Dvorak and Tomas Vincour nearly four minutes apart.
Michael Ryder capped it off with his 27th of the 2011-2012 National Hockey League (NHL) regular season on a breakaway at 18:32 into the third.
Sam Gagner saved Edmonton from an embarrassing shutout as he picked up his 15th of the year with 30 seconds remaining in the game.
Playing like an All-Star team might not be the top priority for Dallas at the moment as they are working towards securing their position as the seasons come closer to an end day-by-day.
"We have to do it this way," Gulutzan added. "We have to play a four-line game. We have to get pucks deep. We have to play tight defence. We've got a good goaltender; we have to use him.” "This is how we've had success. This is the way it's got to get done
if we're going to get in.”
Dallas is now three points ahead of ninth place Los Angeles Kings with 73 and will have to continue winning their upcoming matches to make sure it stays that way. Stars have Calgary Flames as their next destination on the three-game Canadian road trip.
Edmonton has now lost two straight and will be facing Anaheim Ducks on Monday.
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