Jake Oettinger, Stars blank Kraken for 7th straight win

Field Level Media|published: Sun 31st March, 01:05 2024

Mar 30, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger (29) blocks a goal shot against the Seattle Kraken during the second period at Climate Pledge Arena. credits: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

Roope Hintz had a goal and Jake Oettinger made 17 saves for his second shutout of the season as the Western Conference-leading Dallas Stars defeated the host Seattle Kraken 3-0 Saturday night for their season-high seventh consecutive victory.

Wyatt Johnston and Joe Pavelski also scored for the Stars (47-19-9, 103 points), who are one point behind the New York Rangers in the chase for the Presidents' Trophy, which goes to the team with the NHL's best regular-season record and includes home-ice advantage throughout the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Johnston also assisted on the team's final goal.

Goaltender Joey Daccord stopped 27 of 29 shots for the Kraken (30-30-13, 73 points), who had a two-game winning streak snapped.

Trailing 1-0 after two periods, Seattle defenseman Adam Larsson was given a five-minute major and game misconduct for elbowing Dallas' Chris Tanev just 19 seconds into the third period.

Pavelski scored nine seconds later on a rebound off Hintz's shot from the top of the left faceoff circle to make it 2-0.

Hintz added an empty-netter at 18:43 to clinch the victory.

The Stars broke a scoreless tie at 18:12 of the second period. Johnston won an offensive-zone faceoff against Seattle's Jaden Schwartz and Logan Stankoven sent the puck back to Nils Lundkvist at the right point.

Lundkvist's one-timer was redirected by Johnston from the top of the faceoff circle and skidded under Daccord's pads as the goalie was dropping to the ice.

The Stars had a pair of quality chances earlier in the second.

About 90 seconds in, Jason Robertson collected a rebound at the top of the crease and tried to lift a backhander behind Daccord but Kraken forward Oliver Bjorkstrand slid across the goal line on one knee and made a skate save at the right post.

Hintz had a short-handed breakaway with about 6 1/2 minutes left in the period, but Daccord was able to squeeze the shot between his leg pads.

Seattle defenseman Vince Dunn (upper-body injury) was a full participant at the morning skate but missed his 12th consecutive game.

—Field Level Media

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