The Dallas Stars scored twice in the final 15 seconds of regulation, including Jani Hakanpaa’s winning goal with 4 seconds left, to edge the host Nashville Predators 3-2 on Saturday afternoon.
The winning marker came moments after Craig Smith scored his third goal of the season to tie the game with 15 seconds remaining, with an empty Dallas net, after netminder Scott Wedgewood made 19 saves in his outing.
Hakanpaa then scored his first goal of the season for the win as the Stars rushed into the offensive zone from the faceoff before beating Predators netminder Jusse Sarros for the third time in the final frame for their 12th comeback victory of the season.
For much of the game, Nashville appeared to be in cruise control after establishing a 2-0 lead in the second period after a scoreless first frame. Michael McCarron scored 23 seconds into the second period, then Colton Sissons added his own tally to double the lead 6:33 into the frame.
Given their recent positive play on home ice, the Predators looked solid after getting the lead and did not appear fazed when the Stars chipped away at the deficit through an Evgenii Dadonov goal 8:22 into the third period.
Still, it took until the final moments for them to falter and Dallas to capture their sixth win in their last eight games, heading into the NHL’s holiday break.
The Stars thought they had an opening goal in the first period when a shot snuck behind Sarros, only for defenseman Roman Josi to assume the goaltending position and make a glove save, seemingly closing his hands on the puck.
Dallas coach Peter DeBoer appealed to the referee for a penalty shot or penalty, but calls went unanswered, and the Stars found themselves trailing soon after.
The late victory allowed the Stars to avoid a fourth straight overtime game, while it also marked their third consecutive contest in which at least a single goal has been scored in the final 30 seconds of regulation or overtime.
While Wedgewood picked up his ninth win of the season, Sarros stopped 31 shots in the loss.
–Field Level Media
