Glen Gulutzan won his “second debut” as Dallas Stars head coach on Thursday night. Dallas racked up 37 shots on goal and five tallies to hold off the Winnipeg Jets, 5-4, on opening night at Canada Life Centre. Mikko Rantanen collected three points (one goal, two assists). Gulutzan’s club led 5-1 in the third period and then narrowly hung on after Winnipeg rallied for three goals.
Earlier, Jason Robertson (power play) and Nils Lundkvist garnered a goal and an assist apiece. Tyler Seguin scored on the next shift after Robertson’s tally to build a seemingly insurmountable 4-1 lead. However, Wyatt Johnston’s goal, which made it 5-1, actually proved to be the game winner. Meawhile, defenseman Thomas Harley had two assists and blocked five shots for the Stars. Jake Oettinger made 21 saves to earn the win in net.
Kyle Connor, with a new contract extension in hand, collected a hat trick for the Jets in a losing cause. Morgan Barron scored, the other Winnipeg goal. Meanwhile, Mark Scheifele earned three assists for the Jets. Winnipeg native Jonathan Toews returned to his hometown and skate 18:19 of ice time. Defending Hart Trophy and Vezina Trophy winner Connor Hellebuyck stopped to 32 of 37 shots.
The Stars went 4-for-4 on the penalty kill. Meanwhile, Dallas was 1-for-5 on the power play. The Stars won 52 percent of the faceoffs against Scott Arniel’s team.
On Sunday, the Stars are in Denver to take on the 2-0-0 Colorado Avalanche.
