LAS VEGAS (AP) — Jason Robertson and Mikko Rantanen each scored in the shootout as the Dallas Stars narrowly defeated the Vegas Golden Knights 5-4 Thursday night, despite holding a three-goal lead in the third period.
With just 48.7 seconds remaining, Las Vegas’ Mitch Marner used his stick to keep the puck in the offensive zone and fired a shot from the left point, sending the game into overtime.
Mavrik Bourque notched two goals for the Stars, who have now won five straight games. This marked Bourque’s first multi-goal performance since being selected 30th overall by Dallas in 2020. Other Stars contributors included Matt Duchene and Wyatt Johnston with goals, while Jamie Benn and Sam Steel each added two assists. Jake Oettinger guarded the net with 17 saves.
For Vegas, Marner and Keegan Kolesar both recorded a goal and an assist, Ivan Barbashev scored once, and Riley Smith added a shorthanded goal, bringing his career total with the Golden Knights to 13—just two shy of the franchise record held by William Karlsson. Goalie Adin Hill made 23 saves for the Golden Knights, who have dropped five of their last six games and now hold a 1-6 record in shootouts this season.
The game also featured important milestones, as Adam Arne played his 400th career game, and Johnston reached his 300th, maintaining an unbroken streak since his NHL debut on October 13, 2022. Johnston is the fourth player from the 2021 draft class to achieve this feat.
Dallas capitalized on an empty net in the early moments to score their fourth goal in the past three games, securing their third consecutive point. After Kolesar tied the game early in the second period, the Stars scored three times—including two goals by Bourque—before the Golden Knights responded with three goals of their own late in the game.
Up next, the Stars travel to face Mammoth in Utah on Saturday, while the Golden Knights will host the Seattle Kraken.
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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
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Fan Take: Although this is a hockey game, the thrilling back-and-forth finish and clutch performances highlight the excitement and unpredictability that fans of all sports, including basketball, crave. The competitive spirit and resilience displayed could inspire similar playoff intensity and stamina in basketball players, elevating the overall excitement of sports seasons.
