The Dallas Stars came tantalizingly close to a stunning comeback during their game against the New York Islanders on Tuesday night, but a late game-tying goal was controversially disallowed due to goaltender interference. Ultimately, the Stars fell short, losing the match 3-2 at the American Airlines Center.
With just 0.1 seconds left in regulation, Wyatt Johnston appeared to have tied the game with a shorthanded goal, but a review turned the tide when it was ruled that Jason Robertson had interfered with Islanders goaltender David Rittich after being pushed by Ryan Pulock. Stars head coach Glen Gulutzan expressed his frustration, emphasizing the contentious nature of such calls, especially with players in the crease.
The game had been a rollercoaster for the Stars, who faced a 3-1 deficit with under two minutes remaining. Robertson sparked hope by scoring his second goal of the night, converting on a shot from Tyler Seguin to narrow the gap to one goal. Despite their efforts, Dallas couldn’t find the equalizer to force overtime.
Robertson’s impressive performance continued, scoring both of Dallas’ goals and extending his scoring streak. He has tallied an impressive eight goals and 11 points over the last four games, shining as a key player for the team.
Despite Dallas’ earlier chances, their normally potent power play struggled, including a missed opportunity during a four-minute power play when Kyle Palmieri scored a shorthanded goal, extending the Islanders’ lead at a critical moment. The Stars entered the game with an impressive power play operation, ranking second in the league, converting 33.3% of their opportunities.
Defensively, the Stars faced significant challenges, missing several key players due to injuries. However, there was a silver lining with the return of team captain Jamie Benn after a lengthy absence due to a collapsed lung, who made an immediate impact in his return with physical play.
As the season progresses, the Stars look to regroup and build on what they’ve learned through this challenging loss, especially with key players returning to the lineup. There’s potential for the squad to rebound, given their strong offensive performances and resilient spirit even in adversity.