Stars Score Twice in Final 15 Seconds, Stun Predators
The Dallas Stars scored two late goals to secure a comeback win against the Nashville Predators.
Craig Smith and Jani Hakanpaa lead Stars to Victory
In a thrilling turn of events, the Dallas Stars managed to score two goals in the final 15 seconds of the third period to secure a 3-2 comeback win against the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena. Craig Smith scored with 15 seconds remaining to tie the game 2-2, while Jani Hakanpää scored with just four seconds remaining to seal the victory for the Stars. This win extends the Stars' point streak to six games.
Smith's goal came on a rebound in the slot after the Stars pulled goalie Scott Wedgewood for an extra attacker. It was Smith's first point in 16 games and had extra significance as he played for the Predators for nine seasons from 2011 to 2020. Discussing the goal, Smith emphasized the importance of getting the puck in and creating pressure. Hakanpää's goal, a shot from the point, found its way past Juuse Saros to secure the win for the Stars.
Dallas Shows Resilience Despite Challenging Game
The Stars did not have their best performance in the first 40 minutes of the game, but they managed to turn things around in the third period. Forward Matt Duchene acknowledged the strength of Predators goalie Juuse Saros and emphasized the need for some fortunate bounces. The Stars were able to capitalize on one such bounce to tie the game and then secure the victory with Hakanpää's late goal. This win highlights the resilience and determination of the Dallas team.
With this victory, the Stars have now recorded their fifth multi-goal comeback win of the season, the highest in the NHL. Despite facing challenges, they continue to find a way to get the job done and secure important victories.
Predators Express Disappointment After Loss
The Nashville Predators had a disappointing outing against the Stars, losing the game despite holding a 2-0 lead at one point. Predators coach Andrew Brunette expressed his disappointment in the number of passengers on the team and questioned whether his message was getting through to the players. The loss marks the second defeat in their last three games for the Predators, who were previously on a strong run.
Despite the loss, forward Colton Sissons acknowledged that the team can learn valuable lessons from the game. He noted that the Stars were able to push back and play more aggressively when they were trailing, while the Predators struggled to respond. Sissons highlighted the need for the team to play more in the offensive zone and learn from their experiences in tight games.
