National Hockey League
Dallas 3, Utah 2
When: 9:00 PM ET, Monday, December 23, 2024
Where: Delta Center, Salt Lake City, Utah
Referees: Jordan Samuels-Thomas, Graham Skilliter
Linesmen: Caleb Apperson, Ben O'Quinn
Attendance: 11131

Casey DeSmith made 24 saves in his first start since Dec. 2, helping the Dallas Stars end a two-game skid with a 3-2 win against the Utah Hockey Club on Monday night in Salt Lake City.

DeSmith's previous start also came at Utah, where he made 36 saves in a 2-1 win. Jake Oettinger started the next eight games, with DeSmith making one 18-minute relief appearance against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday.

Colin Blackwell, Roope Hintz and Jamie Benn scored for Dallas, which still hasn't lost three regular-season games in a row in regulation in two-plus seasons under coach Peter DeBoer.

Kevin Stenlund and Barrett Hayton scored and Karel Vejmelka made 26 saves for Utah, which had its eight-game point streak (6-0-2) snapped.

The Stars took a 1-0 lead at 11:02 of the first period following a turnover in the neutral zone that sprung a two-on-one break. Blackwell had the option of passing to Sam Steel on his left but opted to shoot the puck and beat Vejmelka.

Utah tied the game at 1-1 at 12:41 of the first.

Michael Carcone dropped a pass for Ian Cole, who delivered a one-timer just as he crossed the blue line. Stenlund deflected the puck past DeSmith as he battled for position with Hintz.

The Stars moved ahead 2-1 at 12:39 of the second.

Mavrik Bourque and Hintz got behind the Utah defense on a dump-in, and Bourque passed the puck back to Hintz for a goal from in close.

The Stars made it 3-1 at 17:50 of the second after Wyatt Johnston took the puck behind the net and found Benn out front in the slot for a one-timer.

After ending a 21-game goal drought in a 5-4 shootout loss to the visiting Anaheim Ducks on Sunday, Hayton scored for the second consecutive game. He tipped in a wrist shot from above the left circle by Nick Schmaltz, cutting the hosts' deficit to 3-2 at 11:39 of the third period.

--Field Level Media

Top Game Performances
 
Dallas   Utah
Jamie Benn 1 Points Barrett Hayton 1
Jamie Benn 1 Goals Barrett Hayton 1
Oskar Back 1 Assists Michael Carcone 1
N/A Power Play Goals N/A
N/A Short Handed Goals N/A
Casey DeSmith .923 Save Percentage Karel Vejmelka .897
Casey DeSmith 24 Saves Karel Vejmelka 26
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Shots Goals Power Play Penalty Kill Penalty Mins Face Offs Won
Dallas 29 3 0-3 2-2 4 31
Utah 26 2 0-2 3-3 6 25
Upcoming Games
  • Utah will play their next game at home against Colorado. The Hockey Club have a W/L % of .412 after a win and .529 after a loss.
  • Dallas will play their next game at home against Minnesota. The Stars have a W/L % of .526 after a win and .714 after a loss.