Stars Edge Sharks 5-3 to Stay Second in Western Conference

Wyatt Johnston’s two goals powered the Dallas Stars to a 5‑3 victory over the San Jose Sharks Thursday night in San Jose, keeping the Stars in second place in the Western Conference and giving them their second straight win.

Game Overview

The Stars opened the scoring early in the first period when Roope Hintz found the back of the net with 7:35 remaining, his 10th goal of the season. Just 2:22 later, Johnston added a second goal to give Dallas a 2‑0 lead. Sharks’ Shakir Mukhamadullin answered in the second period, netting a goal at 1:43 to reduce the deficit to 2‑1. Johnston answered again at 8:40, his 19th of the season, pushing the score to 3‑1 and moving him one goal behind team leader Jason Robertson.

The Sharks cut the margin in the third period with Colin Graf’s goal at 3:16, making it 3‑2. Dallas responded swiftly; Justin Hryckowian scored with 43 seconds left in the period, putting the Stars back up 4‑2. Graf finished his two‑goal night at 4:32, and Jamie Benn sealed the win with an empty‑netter at 1:18 remaining.

Key Players

• Wyatt Johnston – 2 goals, 19th of the season, tying him for the team lead.
• Roope Hintz – 1 goal, 1 assist, 10th of the season.
• Justin Hryckowian – 1 goal, 1 assist.
• Jamie Benn – 1 goal (empty‑netter).
• Mikko Rantanen – 2 assists, 32nd of the season.
• Esa Lindell – 2 assists.
• Jake Oettinger – 30 saves.
• Alex Nedeljkovic – 25 saves for the Sharks.
• Macklin Celebrini – 2 assists, 35th of the season.

Statistical Highlights

• Dallas stopped 30 shots on the ice, while the Sharks allowed 25.
• The Stars’ offense generated 5 goals, with 2 coming from Johnston, 1 from Hintz, 1 from Hryckowian, and 1 from Benn.
• The Sharks’ two goals were scored by Graf and Mukhamadullin.
• Esa Lindell and Mikko Rantanen each contributed two assists, while Celebrini added two assists of his own.

Team Performance

The Stars’ win was the result of a balanced attack and a solid defensive effort. Johnston’s two goals accounted for 40 percent of Dallas’s scoring, while Hintz’s goal and assist helped keep the offense moving. The defense limited the Sharks to a single power‑play goal, and the goaltending duo of Oettinger and Nedeljkovic kept the game within reach.

The Sharks, on the other hand, snapped a three‑game winning streak with this loss. Their offense struggled to maintain momentum, and the defense could not contain the Stars’ quick transitions.

Standings Impact

With the victory, Dallas remains in second place in the Western Conference, continuing their streak of consecutive wins. The win also positions the Stars favorably as they approach the mid‑season point where playoff positioning becomes critical.

Next Games

The Stars will travel to Anaheim on Friday for their next outing, while the Sharks will host Seattle on Saturday. Both teams will look to build on the outcomes of this match as they prepare for the upcoming schedule.

Detailed Goal Timeline

• 7:35 – Roope Hintz (Dallas) – 10th goal of the season.
• 2:22 – Wyatt Johnston (Dallas) – first goal of the game.
• 1:43 – Shakir Mukhamadullin (San Jose) – first goal of the game.
• 8:40 – Wyatt Johnston (Dallas) – second goal of the game.
• 3:16 – Colin Graf (San Jose) – first goal of the game.
• 43 seconds remaining – Justin Hryckowian (Dallas) – second goal of the game.
• 4:32 – Colin Graf (San Jose) – second goal of the game.
• 1:18 remaining – Jamie Benn (Dallas) – empty‑netter.

Goaltending Performance

Jake Oettinger stopped 30 shots, a strong performance that helped keep the Stars ahead. Alex Nedeljkovic finished with 25 saves for the Sharks, showing resilience despite the loss.

Season Highlights for Key Players

Johnston’s 19th goal of the season tied him for the team lead in scoring. Hintz’s 10th goal added to his growing tally. Rantanen’s 32nd assist of the season and Lindell’s two assists reflected their continued playmaking. Celebrini’s 35th assist of the season demonstrated his contribution to the Stars’ offensive flow.

Impact on Momentum

The Stars’ victory is part of a strong season run, while the Sharks’ loss may affect their momentum heading into the next games. The Sharks’ three‑game winning streak ended, and they will need to regroup for their upcoming matchup against Seattle.

Summary

The Dallas Stars edged the San Jose Sharks 5‑3 on Thursday night, with Wyatt Johnston’s two goals proving decisive. Roope Hintz, Justin Hryckowian, and Jamie Benn also scored, while Mikko Rantanen and Esa Lindell each added two assists. The Stars’ goaltender Jake Oettinger recorded 30 saves, and the Sharks’ goalie Alex Nedeljkovic made 25 saves. The win keeps Dallas firmly in second place in the Western Conference and sets the stage for their next game in Anaheim, while the Sharks prepare to host Seattle.