In a thrilling turn of events, Jason Robertson's clutch performance secured a crucial win for the Dallas Stars, who triumphed 3-2 over the St. Louis Blues.
As the team battles through a demanding month where every point counts, they found themselves in a tight match against a struggling Blues squad, with overtime looming as a likely outcome. However, with just one minute remaining in regulation, Robertson netted his 30th goal of the season, lifting Dallas to victory at the American Airlines Center. This win improved their record to 29-14-9, placing them in a tie for second in the Central Division alongside Minnesota.
"We’ve had a tough time lately finishing games and securing close wins," said Robertson, who executed a precise shot over Blues goalie Jordan Binnington following an offensive zone faceoff. "So, this feels really good."
The significance of Robertson’s goal cannot be overstated—it not only showcased his skill but also highlighted the team's current determination to score. The Stars had previously faced disappointment, suffering a 1-0 defeat against Columbus and only managing to score twice during power plays in their recent game, until Robertson’s breakthrough came during even strength.
Stars captain Jamie Benn remarked, "Every point matters tremendously right now, and it’s a relief to find a way to win like this."
On that Friday night, the Stars displayed solid gameplay, drawing five power play opportunities and converting two, courtesy of Wyatt Johnston and Matt Duchene. Despite this, the Blues outshot the Stars 22-19 and had a slight edge in total shot attempts, 45-43. Goalie Jake Oettinger was essential in maintaining the lead, especially as Dallas began to tire as the game progressed.
Mikko Rantanen made his return after missing two games due to illness but appeared to lack some energy at times, which is understandable given the weariness of the team after playing three games in four nights, including travel.
"You could see fatigue setting in, particularly in the third period," noted Stars coach Glen Gulutzan. "We started off strong, but we were a bit sluggish towards the end."
Robertson's late-game goal was particularly remarkable; at just 26 years old, he has already amassed 36 game-winning goals, ranking seventh in franchise history, all within just 426 career games. His shot was a classic display of his creativity and precision.
Gulutzan praised Robertson, stating, "He showed incredible skill there. Not much room to operate, but he made it happen. It was a pivotal goal for us tonight, especially coming off a tough loss in Columbus. It’s not just about how many goals you score, but when you score them. That goal was monumental for us."
Despite a recent slump, where the Stars have gone 4-9 in games that extended beyond regulation (including four consecutive losses), the timing of Robertson's goal allowed the team to regroup amidst an incoming winter storm in the DFW area. Defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin left the game with a lower-body injury, leaving his future availability uncertain, but the Stars have a break before embarking on a three-game road trip, starting with a rematch against the Blues on Tuesday. By then, it’s hoped that Rantanen will feel stronger.
Gulutzan commended Rantanen’s determination: "He’s been under the weather for several days, and I admire his commitment. He lost some weight and didn’t feel great this morning, yet he insisted on playing."
Rantanen logged an impressive 22:28 of ice time, including nearly seven minutes on the power play. Miro Heiskanen and Thomas Harley also put in significant minutes, while Robertson (with a goal and an assist), Johnston (goal and assist), and Roope Hintz (two assists) all contributed multi-point performances. The Stars continue to rely heavily on their leading scorers while also receiving vital contributions from depth players and defensemen.
Although compiling wins in January has been challenging, this night brought a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.
Duchene expressed, "We earned our rewards tonight, capped off by Robertson’s fantastic goal. We got a fortunate bounce and placed ourselves in a good position. Goals like that don’t come often, so it was gratifying to see that one go in for us. While we could have been sharper, I truly believe we deserved this win."
This report does not reflect the views of the National Hockey League or the Dallas Stars Hockey Club.
Mike Heika, a Senior Staff Writer for DallasStars.com since 1994, can be followed on X @MikeHeika.
