Lukas Dostal’s 24-save masterclass and clutch goals from Chris Kreider and Beckett Sennecke powered the Anaheim Ducks to a 3-1 win over the Dallas Stars, ending a brutal nine-game losing streak in a statement performance that could reignite their season.
The Anaheim Ducks finally found their spark. After nearly a month of frustration, the Ducks snapped a nine-game losing streak with a gritty 3-1 victory over the Dallas Stars on Tuesday night at Honda Center, thanks to a stellar performance from goaltender Lukas Dostal and timely scoring from Chris Kreider and rookie Beckett Sennecke.
Dostal stopped 24 shots, many of them high-danger chances in the final minutes, as the Stars pressed with an empty net and a late power-play goal from Roope Hintz. Jacob Trouba sealed the win with a long-range empty-netter with 20.5 seconds left, sending the home crowd into a rare mid-season celebration.
Ducks show resilience without top scorers
The win came without Anaheim’s top three point producers — Leo Carlsson, Troy Terry, and Cutter Gauthier — all sidelined due to injury or illness. Yet the Ducks outworked, outhit, and outskated one of the NHL’s most disciplined teams, flipping the script on a stretch that saw them surrender five or more goals in five straight games.
It was Beckett Sennecke, the 19-year-old winger, who delivered the dagger. After a rebound from Mikael Granlund’s shot kicked off the end boards, Sennecke corralled the puck and backhanded it past Casey DeSmith to make it 2-0 with 7:58 left in the third. The goal was unassisted but hardly unearned — Sennecke shielded the puck from a defender and showed elite poise in tight space.
Kreider opens the scoring with savvy timing
The Ducks’ first goal came off a clever coaching move. With a delayed penalty on Kyle Capobianco, Anaheim pulled Dostal for an extra attacker. Radko Gudas found Granlund at the right circle, who slid a pass to Chris Kreider in the high slot. Kreider snapped it past DeSmith stick-side for a 1-0 lead 3:36 into the second period.
Despite a disallowed short-handed goal from Alex Killorn — wiped out due to Ryan Poehling’s goalie interference — Anaheim never lost composure. The Ducks killed penalties, blocked shots, and leaned on Dostal, who turned away multiple point-blank chances in the final five minutes.
Dostal steps up when it matters most
With Dallas pressing and DeSmith pulled for an extra attacker, Dostal stood tall. He denied Jason Robertson and Mason Marchment from in tight, preserving the one-goal lead before Trouba’s clearing attempt found the empty net. The 24-save performance was a reminder of Dostal’s potential as a franchise goaltender — calm under pressure, positionally sound, and mentally locked in.
The Stars, now 2-2-2 in their last six, couldn’t solve Dostal’s positioning. Even Hintz’s late power-play goal came off a quick snap shot through traffic — not a breakdown, but a testament to Dallas’ elite finishers.
What this win means for Anaheim
This wasn’t just a win. It was a reset. The Ducks had been spiraling since December 20, outscored 39-16 during the losing streak. But Tuesday’s performance showed a team that hasn’t quit. With young talent like Sennecke stepping up and Dostal finding his rhythm, Anaheim has a foundation to build on — even without their stars.
The victory also moves the Ducks within striking distance of the Western Conference wild-card pack. While they remain near the bottom of the Pacific Division, the gap isn’t insurmountable — especially if Dostal continues to deliver performances like this.
Looking ahead
- Ducks: Travel to face the Los Angeles Kings on Friday night in a pivotal divisional matchup.
- Stars: Head to Utah on Thursday, looking to rebound and stabilize their Central Division standing.
Anaheim’s next test will be consistency. One win doesn’t erase a month of struggles, but it can spark a run — especially if the goaltending holds and the young core keeps rising.
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