The Dallas Stars concluded a successful three-game road trip with a 3-2 win over the Utah Mammoth at Delta Center on Saturday night. The victory marked the Stars’ fourth consecutive win, improving their record to 32-14-9 (73 points) and maintaining their position in the competitive Central Division.
The Stars built a commanding lead in the opening period, capitalizing on special teams opportunities. Thomas Harley opened the scoring with a power-play goal at 2:11, assisted by Mavrik Bourque and Jamie Benn. Wyatt Johnston followed with his 29th goal of the season at 6:45 (noted in some reports as 7:42), another power-play tally set up by Benn and Matt Duchene. This marker was Johnston’s 18th power-play goal of the 2025-26 campaign, tying franchise legend Mike Modano’s single-season record of 18 power-play goals set in 1993-94. Achieving the tie in just the team’s 55th game of the season underscores Johnston’s exceptional efficiency on the man advantage. It positions Johnny well to potentially surpass the mark before the regular season concludes. Duchene then added an even-strength goal at 12:34 to extend the advantage to 3-0.
Utah responded late in the frame when Kailer Yamamoto scored at 17:21, assisted by JJ Peterka, narrowing the gap to 3-1. Yamamoto, who has been a consistent offensive threat for the Mammoth, added his second goal of the night at 6:40 in the third period (Peterka assisting again), pulling Utah within one at 3-2.
The second period remained scoreless, with Dallas controlling play and outshooting Utah 10-4 in the frame. The Stars’ defense and goaltending limited high-quality chances, contributing to a disciplined, structured performance.
Casey DeSmith earned the win in net for Dallas, stopping 12 of 14 shots faced. Karel Vejmelka made 28 saves for Utah on 31 shots. Dallas held a decisive 31-14 advantage in shots on goal overall, going 2-for-4 on the power play while Utah was 0-for-2.
Jamie Benn recorded two assists to pace the Stars’ offense, while Duchene’s goal extended his personal scoring streak to four games.
Duchene Returning To Form
Matt Duchene has shown a strong resurgence on the offensive end in recent weeks, providing a timely boost to the Stars’ attack. After a slower start to the 2025-26 season, the veteran forward has found his rhythm, scoring in each of his last four games—including his goal against Utah—for a total of five goals during that stretch. This hot streak has helped elevate his season totals to nine goals and 16 points through 30 appearances, with three power-play goals contributing to his effectiveness. Duchene’s production, particularly alongside linemates like Jamie Benn, has coincided with Dallas’ four-game winning run and added depth to an already potent lineup.
Post game with Gulutzan
Postgame, Stars head coach Glen Gulutzan emphasized the importance of recent improvements and execution in key areas. “We’ve seen improvement in our play lately, and controlling the neutral zone was key to getting the win in Utah tonight,” Gulutzan said. He highlighted the team’s commitment to details and physicality, noting that consistent effort in those aspects has been instrumental in securing points.
The Mammoth (28-23-4, 60 points) have now dropped two straight and three of their last four, despite Yamamoto’s two-goal performance, marking his second consecutive multi-goal game.
Dallas returns home to face the Winnipeg Jets on February 2 at American Airlines Center, looking to build further momentum in their pursuit of a strong playoff position. The Stars’ balanced attack and defensive structure continue to position them as contenders in the Western Conference.
The Morning Skate 