Game Recap: Stars Miss Out On Yet Another Opportunity Against A Struggling Team, Lose 3-1 to Coyotes

The game on Sunday felt all too familiar to the 5-3 loss to the Montreal Canadiens back on Jan. 18. The Stars were playing well on the road, looking for their sixth straight victory, and were up against a team that has only won five home games all season. However, they left Glendale for the final time with nothing to show for it, falling to the Coyotes 3-1.

"Disappointing," said forward Jason Robertson.

Arizona took the first lead of the game when Lawson Crouse found himself wide open in front of Jake Oettinger after his teammate stole a puck from Esa Lindell in the corner. Dallas answered right back, however, as they so often do when a point shot was deflected by Joe Pavelski and then Roope Hintz before finding the back of the net.

When it looked like Dallas would have their chance to go ahead on a power play, Denis Gurianov got his stick stuck in the blades of a Coyotes player, ending the power play about halfway through. On the ensuing Arizona power play, Nick Schmaltz fired a wrist shot from the slot that slid through the bottom of Miro Heiskanen's skate and bounced through the legs of Oettinger.

"We didn't play very well in the first two," Heiskanen said. "We have to be at our best when the puck drops, and we weren't. That's why we lost tonight."

The Stars poured it on in the third period, becoming increasingly alert that they were running out of time and were falling dangerously close to gaining no points against one of the worst teams in the NHL…again.

Jason Robertson had the best chances as he missed a wide-open net and was stoned by Scott Wedgewood, who made 32 saves (17 in the third period alone) in the victory for Arizona. The Coyotes added an empty netter to secure the win, sending Dallas packing and ending their winning streak.

"We missed too many scoring opportunities in the third period," said Bowness of a frantic third period in which the Stars threw 17 shots on goal and created 33 shots attempts. "We could've won that game. Missed an open net, had some Grade As. We just didn't capitalize.”

Another streak that was ended in Glendale was the Stars penalty kill, which had not allowed a goal for seven straight games. Although the goal was a lucky bounce for Arizona, it was a sign of things to come in a disappointing night in the desert.

Dallas has two days off before facing tough tests in the Winnipeg Jets and Nashville Predators on Wednesday and Thursday night. The loss results in a 2-1-0 road trip and leaves them three points out of a playoff spot, as they have now wrapped up their make-up portion of the schedule.

"Two wins, two really important wins," Heiskanen said when asked to rate the three-game road trip. "Of course, we wanted and need that last one, but we didn't get it. Two first games were good. We have to play better than what we did today."

He Said It

"I would've liked six points," said captain Jamie Benn.

Sam’s Three Stars

Third Star: Clayton Keller, ARI (1 goal, 1 assist)

Second Star: Nick Schmaltz, ARI (1 goal, 2 assists)

First Star: Scott Wedgewood, ARI (32 saves in win)