Steel and Johnston 14 seconds apart, DeSmith has 25 saves as Stars beat Kraken 2-0
Dallas Stars center Sam Steel (18) reacts after scoring against Seattle Kraken goaltender Philipp Grubauer (31) and defenseman Will Borgen (3) in the first period during an NHL hockey game Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in Dallas. Credit: AP/Richard W. Rodriguez
DALLAS — Sam Steel and Wyatt Johnston scored 14 seconds apart late in the first period, Casey DeSmith made 25 saves for his 11th career shutout in his Dallas debut and the Stars beat the Seattle Kraken 2-0 on Sunday night.
It was the second shutout in two nights for the Stars as No. 1 goalie Jake Oettinger blanked the New York Islanders on Saturday night.
Steel was alone at the back post to poke a cross-ice pass from Colin Blackwell behind Philipp Grubauer with 3:43 remaining in the first. Johnston snapped a wrister home stick side at 13 seconds later following a drop pass from Jamie Benn.
Grubauer finished with 21 saves.
Johnston, who led Dallas with 32 goals last year, has points in each of his first three games.
Dallas most recently had back-to-back shutouts late last season, 3-0 at Seattle on March 30 and 5-0 against Edmonton at home on April 3.
Takeaways
Kraken: Were shut out for the first time in three games under new coach Dan Bylsma. They were blanked seven times last season, when they ranked 29th in goals.
Dallas Stars center Wyatt Johnston (53) celebrates after his first-period goal against the Seattle Kraken with defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin (46) and center Logan Stankoven (11) during an NHL hockey game Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in Dallas. Credit: AP/Richard W. Rodriguez
Stars: Playing nine games in their first 17 days because of an early November trip to Finland, Dallas is looking for significant early contributions from DeSmith.
Key moment
Johnston winning the faceoff following Steel’s goal, which he converted seconds later into the 2-0 lead.
Key stat
The Stars killed all four penalties allowing two total shots on goal and are 10 for 11 on the penalty-kill this season.
Up Next
The Kraken will finish a three-game Central Division road trip at Nashville on Tuesday, and the Stars complete a three-game homestand against San Jose.
