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“There were stretches in the first round where
I really liked my game, just wasn’t in the results,” Hellebuyck
said. “But, built it back better. I like where we’re at. The
team in front of me is playing phenomenal, so we’re going to
have fun. Just continue to have fun.”
Gabriel Vilardi and Nikolaj Ehlers scored early goals and Adam
Lowry made it 3-0 midway through the second period. Ehlers added
an empty-netter with 3:40 remaining for a three-point night.
Game 3 is Sunday in Dallas.
Hellebuyck was the star Friday night.
“It’s what he does every night for us,” said Josh Morrissey, who
assisted on Vilardi’s goal. “He’s an incredible goaltender. He
makes very difficult saves look very easy, routinely and often.
You could tell he was feeling it tonight.”
Dallas coach Pete DeBoer also was impressed with Hellebuyck.
“He was good,” DeBoer said. “I think we can always make it more
difficult on him, but he was really good.”
Jake Oettinger stopped 21 shots for Dallas.
Vilardi opened the scoring on a power play at 3:35 of the first
period.
Tyler Seguin was called for a double-minor for high-sticking
Morrissey just 17 seconds in. Vilardi pounced on Ehlers’ rebound
in the crease and slid the puck in the net.
Ehlers followed at 7:07, and Lowry made it a three-goal lead
with 8:58 left in the second.
“We would have liked to get two (wins), obviously, but we have
to look at the big picture,” Stars defenseman Cody Ceci said.
“It’s a long series. It’s kind of what we expected against these
guys — they’re a good team.”
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