Stars earn much-needed win vs. Coyotes
DALLAS -- Jamie Benn scored the game-winning goal 3:03 into the third period and Kari Lehtonen made 25 saves for the Dallas Stars in a 5-2 win against the Arizona Coyotes on Friday at American Airlines Center.
After his older brother, Jordie Benn, fired the puck off the end boards, Jamie Benn, who also had an assist, collected the carom and scored his 21st goal of the season on a wraparound early in the final period.
Devin Shore, who also had an assist, John Klingberg, appearing in his 200th career game, Lauri Korpikoski and Cody Eakin also scored for Dallas (24-27-10), which got two assists from Esa Lindell.
Radim Vrbata, who added an assist, and Martin Hanzal scored for Arizona (21-32-7). Louis Domingue made 32 saves for Arizona in a losing effort.
Arizona scored 7:06 into the game when Radim Vrbata one-timed a slap shot from the slot for his 14th goal of the season. Max Domi fed Vrbata from behind the Dallas net and Vrbata beat Stars goaltender Kari Lehtonen to his short side.
Dallas pulled even when Shore scored his 10th goal of the season on a wrist shot from the left point 5:58 before the first intermission. Shore's flick beat Domingue top shelf over his glove.
The Coyotes regained the lead with 6:01 remaining in the second period when Hanzal scored his 16th goal of the season off a deflection. With an impossible angle to the right of the Dallas goal, Hanzal flicked a wrist shot that deflected first off Jordie Benn's skate and then off the far post before going in.
Dallas' Brett Ritchie had apparently tied it with a goal 5:00 before the second intermission. However, video review determined that Luke Schenn had prevented the puck from crossing the line at the far post and the goal was overturned.
The Stars made it 2-2 with 1:02 remaining in the second period when Klingberg scored his ninth goal of the season on a wrist shot from the slot off the rush with Dallas on the power play.
After Jamie Benn's goal, Korpikoski scored his eighth goal of the season off a rebound 9:22 into the third period. Eakin added his third goal of the season on a wrist shot from the left circle with 4:02 remaining.
NOTES: The Coyotes scratched D Anthony DeAngelo, RW Josh Jooris, LW Jamie McGinn and G Mike Smith (illness). Due to Smith's illness, Arizona used an emergency call-up to summon G Adin Hill from AHL Tucson. ... The Stars scratched D Patrik Nemeth. ... Scouts from the Blackhawks, Blue Jackets, Bruins, Canadiens, Flames, Hurricanes, Islanders, Kings, Oilers, Predators, Red Wings, Senators were in the press box. ...Midway through the first period, the Stars played a tribute video honoring Coyotes D Alex Goligoski, who spent nearly six seasons in Dallas (2010-2016). ... Earlier in the day, the Anaheim Ducks acquired F Patrick Eaves from the Stars for a conditional second-round pick. Eaves has 21 goals this season.