Dallas evened the Western Conference first-round series with a 4-2 victory over Minnesota in Game 2 Monday night. Wyatt Johnston scored twice, including a deflected opening goal and an empty-net finish, while Matt Duchene provided a pivotal power-play goal and an assist to help the Stars bounce back after a lopsided loss in the series opener.
The game’s momentum turned in the second period when Dallas converted on a power play as it was winding down. Duchene worked a quick sequence with Mikko Rantanen, received the puck in front of the crease and finished to give the Stars a lead they would not relinquish in a matchup that featured heavy physical play and several penalty moments.
Netminder Jake Oettinger made 28 saves and came up big late, denying a close-range chance by Kirill Kaprizov with about 2:30 remaining while Minnesota was on a power play after Dallas was assessed a too-many-men penalty. Oettinger’s stop preserved the lead and helped Dallas escape a tense finish.
Minnesota got two goals from Brock Faber and two assists from Quinn Hughes, but the Wild could not capitalize on the man-advantage opportunities, finishing 0-for-4 on the power play. After a 6-1 victory in Game 1, Minnesota was unable to claim a 2-0 series edge in its 15th postseason appearance.
Jason Robertson added a goal for Dallas, and defenseman Nils Lundkvist had a pair of assists. Johnston’s first goal came when his shot caromed off the boards and then off the skate of rookie goalie Jesper Wallstedt for an early 1-0 lead; Lundkvist was credited with the primary helper on the play.
Johnston later finished an empty-net opportunity in the final minute of the game when he corralled the puck in front of Oettinger and sent it across the ice so it rolled just inside the post. Wallstedt also finished with 28 saves for Minnesota, his second straight start in the series ahead of the other veteran option.
The contest featured several penalties and a few scuffles. After the Stars’ power-play goal, Duchene and Rantanen were involved in an altercation that landed both in the penalty box and briefly handed the Wild a man advantage. Marcus Foligno was whistled for a double-minor late in the second after a roughing sequence.
Minnesota also lost forward Yakov Trenin to an upper-body injury following a heavy hit late in the first period; he did not return. With both clubs battling through physical play and special-teams chances that went mostly unanswered, coaches on both sides described it as a tight, hard-fought game. The series now moves to Minnesota for Game 3 on Wednesday night.
