Robertson's 39th goal helps Stars roll Kraken 5-2
Dallas Stars forward Max Domi, right, skates against Seattle Kraken defenseman Jaycob Megna during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Monday, March 13, 2023, in Seattle. Credit: AP/Stephen Brashear
SEATTLE — Jason Robertson scored his 39th goal of the season, the last of three power-play goals by Dallas, and the Stars beat the Seattle Kraken 5-2 on Monday night for their sixth win in seven games.
Robertson’s goal came in the opening seconds of the third period and gave Dallas a three-goal lead. Jamie Benn had a goal and two assists and Miro Heisknaen had three assists as Dallas strengthened its lead on top of the Central Division. The Stars moved three points in front of Minnesota with 15 games left in the regular season.
Evgenii Dadonov, Joe Pavelski and Wyatt Johnston also scored for Dallas, and the Stars swept both games as the teams played twice in three days in Seattle. Jake Oettinger made 26 saves for Dallas.
Yanni Gourde and Eeli Tolvanen scored for Seattle, but the problem for the Kraken was their penalty kill. Seattle entering the game having killed 31 of the previous 32 power-play opportunities by its opponents, only to watch the Stars go 3 for 4 with the man advantage.
Dadonov and Benn scored inside the first six minutes to give Dallas a 2-0 lead, and Pavelski’s power-play goal early in the second period made it 3-1.
The turning point came midway through the second period after Tolvanen scored his 14th of the season and 12th since joining the Kraken to pull Seattle to 3-2. Just 14 seconds after the goal, Johnston outworked Daniel Sprong for a loose puck and caught Seattle goaltender Martin Jones out of position for his 17th goal and a 4-2 Dallas lead.
Jones made 27 saves and looked uneasy at times making his first start in 11 days.
Dallas Stars forward Wyatt Johnston, left, and forward Jamie Benn celebrate after a goal during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Seattle Kraken, Monday, March 13, 2023, in Seattle. Credit: AP/Stephen Brashear
Seattle lost for the fifth time in its past six home games and dropped to 16-14-4 at home on the season. While the Kraken are poised to make the playoffs in their second season, their struggles at home may end up being the deciding factor in whether Seattle enters the postseason as one of the top three in the Pacific Division or a wild card.
NOTES: Dallas F Tyler Seguin missed his second straight game after suffering a cut on his left leg last week against Buffalo. Seguin is expected to be out for a couple of weeks. ... Seattle's Vince Dunn had two assists and extended his point streak to 10 games, the longest active streak in the league.
UP NEXT
Stars: At Vancouver on Tuesday night.
Dallas Stars forward Roope Hintz (24) skates against Seattle Kraken forward Alex Wennberg, right, during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Monday, March 13, 2023, in Seattle. Credit: AP/Stephen Brashear
Kraken: At San Jose on Thursday night.
