NHL Game Summary - Dallas at New Jersey
Newark, NJ (SportsNetwork.com) - Jamie Benn scored in a fifth consecutive game and added a goal in the shootout as the Dallas Stars edged the New Jersey Devils 3-2 on Friday night.
Kari Lehtonen stopped 25 shots and Patrick Eaves had the other goal in regulation for the Stars, who improved to 4-0-1 in their last five games.
"I thought tonight was by far our best game overall," Dallas head coach Lindy Ruff said.
Damien Brunner and Eric Gelinas lit the lamp for New Jersey, which lost an 18th straight shootout, extending its NHL record.
The Devils remain winless at home and have dropped four in a row after opening the season with three straight wins.
Cory Schneider finished with 35 saves, but failed to stop Jason Spezza or Benn in the tiebreaker.
"We really felt we needed two points here to end the three-game homestand," said Schneider. "Overall, not too happy with just the one (point)."
New Jersey pulled even at the 8:18 mark of the third period. Patrik Elias used his glove to push the puck into the crease, where it deflected off the left skate of Lehtonen. Brunner was then able to poke the puck across the goal line before the net was dislodged.
A video review confirmed the net was displaced after Brunner scored.
Schneider made a blocker save to deny Erik Cole on a breakaway and preserve the 2-2 tie with about 4 1/2 minutes remaining in regulation.
The Devils took a 1-0 lead when Gelinas beat Lehtonen on a slap shot from the left point 5:21 into the game.
Schneider made 14 saves in the first period, including consecutive stops on Ales Hemsky.
The crafty winger used a toe drag to get around Gelinas and wound up drawing a tripping penalty on the New Jersey defenseman early in the second period.
Dallas scored the tying goal with one second left in the man advantage. The Stars' forecheck caused Devils defenseman Andy Greene to cough up the puck along the end boards. Tyler Seguin then dished out front to Benn, who beat Schneider high to the far side from below the right circle at the 4:28 mark.
The Devils came close to reclaiming the lead as Michael Ryder rang a shot off the post.
Dallas was able to move ahead on a bad-angle shot by Eaves that snuck through Schneider with 4:12 remaining in the middle stanza.