The Dallas Stars are looking to keep their home success going on Wednesday when they face the Toronto Maple Leafs.
On Monday, the Stars won 3-1 against the Washington Capitals, improving to a 3-1-0 record on their six-game homestand and 13-3-0 at American Airlines Center this season.
Roope Hintz, with two goals, and Jason Robertson, who had two assists, had strong performances in the game. Rookie Lian Bichsel added to the success by scoring a goal for the second time in three games. He became only the second defenseman in franchise history to score twice in his first three NHL games, joining Derian Hatcher from 1991-92.
“It’s not an easy job out there. I’m just getting into the league, but I think I’m doing a good job keeping it simple and helping the team,” said the 20-year-old Bichsel. “I’m fighting for a job here and doing all I can here to make their decision hard. Every day is a new opportunity for me, and every day I have to show them that I’m worth playing here.”
Bichsel was called up from the AHL’s Texas Stars to fill in for the injured Matt Dumba (upper body) and Nils Lundkvist (illness). Standing at 6-foot-7 and weighing 231 pounds, Bichsel has used his size and physicality to make an impact, registering 12 hits in three games, including one that sent Blues captain Brayden Schenn into the Stars’ bench.
“When you’re a young guy and come in that situation like this, you don’t have to score every night,” said Dallas head coach Peter DeBoer. “You have to make an impression and get the coaches’ trust.”
Jake Oettinger made 25 saves in his sixth straight start, with backup Casey DeSmith out sick. Oettinger has a 12-2-0 record with a 1.92 goals-against average and a .928 save percentage at home, compared to a 4-5-0 record with a 3.02 goals-against average and a .889 save percentage on the road.
The Stars’ penalty kill also continued its strong play, shutting down all four of Washington’s power plays to remain perfect on the homestand.
The Maple Leafs won 5-3 against the Buffalo Sabres on Sunday, scoring four unanswered goals. Veteran John Tavares sealed the win with a natural hat trick.
“I’m just playing,” said the 34-year-old Tavares. “I think I’ve got a lot of belief in my game and what I can do, whether that is scoring or just making an impact all over the ice. So just continue to help this team as best I can. My whole life I’ve been able to produce offensively, score goals, and just want to continue to do that when those chances present themselves.”
Nicholas Robertson, who had just two points (both goals) in his previous 23 games, added a goal and an assist against the Sabres to double his point total for the season. The Robertson brothers, Nicholas (23) and Jason (25), will face each other on the ice Wednesday.
Toronto is still without its top goalie, Anthony Stolarz, who will miss 4-6 weeks after undergoing knee surgery.
