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John Klingberg scored early in the first period
and fellow defenseman Esa Lindell and Joel Kiviranta also
tallied as Dallas halted an 0-3-3 stretch.
However, it was Khudobin who shined brightest with another
strong effort after stopping 49 of 51 shots in a 3-1 loss to
Florida on Monday.
Khudobin, who made 34 saves during a 7-0 win over Nashville in
Dallas' season opener on Jan. 22, ended an 0-4-1 starting rut by
helping the Stars become the first team to blank the potent
Panthers this year. Florida, which entered among the NHL leaders
averaging 3.41 goals, had won six of its previous eight games.
After being shut down for the final 55 1/2 minutes of Monday's
loss, Dallas scored 53 seconds into this contest. Klingberg's
blast from just ahead of the near circle beat Florida netminder
Chris Driedger (23 saves) to snap a nine-game goal drought.
Khudobin was up to the challenge early, stopping 17 shots over
the opening 20 minutes. And, even better in the second period,
when he stepped up to make some key saves on the 14 shots he
faced in that frame. His most notable stop of the period came on
a diving save of Carter Verhaeghe's chance from the side of the
net.
Khudobin got some insurance early in the third period. Just
after a Dallas power play was ending, Lindell pounced on an open
puck and sent it past Driedger at 2:17.
Khudobin did more to preserve the Stars' lead. He stopped
defenseman Aaron Ekblad's point-blank attempt with 14:26 to go
in regulation and added a nifty glove save on Jonathan
Huberdeau's wrister with 12:41 left.
These teams will play again Friday night at Florida.
--Field Level Media
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