Nearly perfect Dallas Stars lose first home game to Los Angeles Kings 5-3 -NHL Match Update
Dallas remained perfect at home ever since the 2011-2012 National Hockey League (NHL) regular season kicked off, but Los Angeles made sure of snapping their perfect winning streak as the Kings made a late comeback and burned out the Stars, 5-3, at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, United States, Thursday night, October 27, 2011.
Having won seven of their last ten matchups now, Dallas has gotten off to one of its best starts in recent years, especially when compared to the previous season in which they did not even manage to make it into the playoffs.
Currently, the Stars lead the Western Conference with 14 points above Chicago Blackhawks and Edmonton Oilers, which is something they are hoping of keeping up as the season progresses.
Dallas’ newly appointed head coach over the offseason, Glen Gulutzan, might have lost the game but is still happy at how his team is really working hard to turn their reputation around.
"I thought that we played a pretty good game", Gulutzan said. "I'm OK with our effort right now. We battled back, showed some character but at the end, another seeing-eye single that goes through and found its way to the back of the net".
Trevor Daley gave Dallas an early lead by scoring his inaugural goal of the season during their second power play opportunity, but it was LA that took over in the next 20 minute period.
Justin Williams, Scott Parse and Slava Voynov scored three straight for the Los Angeles Kings, the last being one a power play opportunity of their own, giving the visiting team a commanding, 3-1, lead as they entered the final period of regulation.
The crowd was on its feet as Michael Ryder and Eric Nystrom brought Dallas right back in the game by scoring back-to-back and levelling the match, 3-3, with nearly 13 minutes left to play, but Slava Voynov’s tie-breaker and Dustin Brown ensuring goal at the 19:33 mark threw water all over the Stars hard work.
"Voynov's got a big shot, a nice skill you don't coach", Kings coach Terry Murray said in a delightful mood after the game. "He's got incredible composure; he sees the ice well and makes plays. So there are some decisions to be made".
This was the Stars second straight loss to the Los Angeles Kings this season but hope to bounce back the next time they meet. Dallas stays at home for two more games before starting their four-game road trip.
Kings have two more road games against Phoenix Coyotes on Saturday and Colorado Avalanche on Sunday before going back to Los Angeles.
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