NHL Game Summary - Arizona at Dallas
Dallas, TX (SportsNetwork.com) - John Klingberg and Cody Eakin each scored in the opening minute of the third period as the Dallas Stars stopped a seven- game home losing streak with a 3-1 decision over the Arizona Coyotes.
Jason Spezza also had a goal in the final frame and Kari Lehtonen turned aside 25 shots in a much-needed result for the slumping Stars, who had dropped three straight and won for only the third time in their last 13 outings.
Dallas had gone 0-5-2 since its only previous victory at American Airlines Center this season, a 6-3 triumph over Vancouver on Oct. 21.
"All I could try to do is stay sane and keep moving forward," said Lehtonen. "It was nice we are able to get one of these come-from-behind wins. We have to be happy about this and keep going."
Lauri Korpikoski tallied on a first-period power play for the Coyotes' lone goal, with Mike Smith recording 24 saves in defeat.
"You got to play 60 minutes, not 40 minutes to win in this league," said Arizona coach Dave Tippett. "Third period wasn't good enough."
After being stoned by a razor-sharp Smith over the first two periods, the Stars struck twice within a 33-second span to move in front early in the third.
Klingberg drew Dallas even just 19 seconds into the frame with his first career NHL goal. Collecting the puck following a Stars faceoff win in the Phoenix zone, the rookie eluded a check from Mikkel Boedker before rifling a shot into the top right corner of the net.
The re-energized Stars kept the pressure on after the ensuing faceoff, then grabbed a 2-1 edge when Eakin successfully redirected Trevor Daley's blast from the right boards with 52 seconds elapsed in the period.
Spezza all but put the game out of reach with 4:08 remaining. While fighting off a check from Keith Yandle, the veteran center spun around and fired the puck through a narrow opening for a 3-1 Dallas lead.
Korpikoski nearly drew the Coyotes closer in the game's final seconds, but the Stars were able to clear a puck that trickled by Lehtonen just before it crossed the goal line prior to killing the remaining time.
The Coyotes gained an edge in an otherwise evenly played opening period by virtue of a cross-checking penalty on Stars defenseman Jyrki Jokipakka nearly 13 minutes in. On the resulting power play, Korpikoski was perfectly positioned to knock in the rebound of Sam Gagner's point shot while stationed on the doorstep of the Dallas net.
Neither team could convert a power-play chance during a scoreless second period in which Lehtonen came up with 10 saves to help position Dallas for the comeback.