Red-hot Gibson, Ducks shut out Stars
ANAHEIM, Calif. -- John Gibson posted his second shutout in four days and Jakob Silfverberg scored Anaheim's first power-play goal at home in nearly a month as the Ducks knocked off the Dallas Stars 2-0 on Tuesday to wrap up a 4-1-0 homestand at Honda Center.
Silfverberg also set up Andrew Cogliano's third-period goal for the Ducks, who stayed even with the San Jose Sharks atop the Pacific Division. Gibson finished with 34 saves in his third shutout of the season and ninth of his career. He stopped three shots over the final 1:27 with Ducks defenseman Kevin Bieksa serving a high-sticking penalty and Dallas goalie Antti Niemi pulled for a two-man advantage.
The Stars, who were trying to leapfrog the Nashville Predators and Winnipeg Jets and catch the Los Angeles Kings and Vancouver Canucks for eighth place in the West, saw two more players leave with injuries.
Second-leading scorer Patrick Eaves limped to locker room early in third period after he brushed against the partially open door to the Stars' bench, and defenseman Jamie Oleksiak played only 18 seconds in the second period before exiting with an upper-body injury.
The Ducks took a 1-0 lead with their first power-play goal at home since Dec. 11, snapping an 0-for-16 streak with the man-advantage.
John Klingberg went to the box for high sticking Joseph Cramarossa, the second of three power plays in the second period for Anaheim.
Corey Perry took a pass below the right circle and shot from a difficult angle. Niemi made the save, but left the rebound in front of the crease, where Silfverberg was waiting to pop it high into the net with 5:27 left in the period.
It was the 12th goal of the season for Silfverberg.
The Stars had two power plays in the second period, but it was the Ducks who produced the best scoring chances during those penalties.
The Ducks started much quicker Tuesday than they did in their 2-1 loss to the Minnesota Wild on Sunday, taking seven shots on goal in the first 6:16 after posting seven in the entire first period against the Wild.
Anaheim couldn't keep up the pace, however, and went nearly 7 1/2 minutes between shots on net later in the period.
The Ducks outshot the Stars 13-12 in the opening 20 minutes while Silfverberg, Cogliano and fellow linemate Ryan Kesler accounted for seven.
NOTES: Dallas LW Jamie Benn missed his fourth consecutive game with a foot injury. The second-leading points scorer for the Stars skated Tuesday morning, but coach Lindy Ruff said he's only practiced at 80 percent thus far. ... Stars G Antti Niemi stopped 67 of 71 shots in two previous starts against Anaheim this season, both wins. ... Ducks C Ryan Getzlaf, the team's second-leading points scorer, was a game-time decision before also missing his fourth consecutive game (lower-body injury). ... Ducks D Korbinian Holzer returned to the lineup after serving as a healthy scratch the last three games and rookie D Brandon Montour was scratched after appearing in a career-high three straight games. ... Dallas D Stephen Johns and LW Curtis McKenzie were healthy scratches for the third consecutive game. ... Stars D Patrik Nemeth continued his conditioning stint in Texas.