Stars Outlast Ducks in Overtime Thriller Behind Granlund's Heroics

In a game defined by momentum swings, highlight-reel goals, and a blend of veteran savvy and youthful talent, the Dallas Stars edged out the Anaheim Ducks 4-3 in overtime Tuesday night at American Airlines Center. Mikael Granlund played the hero, burying the game-winner 2:32 into overtime — his second goal of the night — to keep the Stars firmly in contention near the top of the Western Conference.

Granlund Delivers When It Matters Most

Mikael Granlund has been a valuable depth addition since the trade deadline, and Tuesday night, he showed why. With the game knotted at 3-3 in overtime, Anaheim goaltender Lukas Dostal made a stop on Roope Hintz but couldn’t corral the puck. Granlund, left unchecked in the slot, buried the loose puck to seal the win for Dallas.

It was a fitting finish for a player who had already given the Stars a second-period lead with a sharp-angle shot that beat Dostal cleanly. The Finnish forward's performance is emblematic of Dallas' recent post-deadline form — a team still figuring out its best lineup combinations but grinding out crucial points.

Youth Movement Shines — On Both Sides

The game was also a showcase for the next generation. Anaheim’s Leo Carlsson, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, demonstrated why he’s considered a franchise cornerstone. He scored twice in the second period — once on a five-on-three power play and again on a penalty shot — giving the Ducks a 3-2 lead heading into the third.

Carlsson’s penalty shot goal, a result of being hooked on a breakaway, displayed poise beyond his years as he slipped the puck past Jake Oettinger. It was his second career multi-goal game and a reminder that Anaheim’s rebuild has some legitimate pieces taking form.

On the Dallas side, 20-year-old Wyatt Johnston continued his steady ascent. The second-year center opened the scoring with a power play deflection midway through the first period, giving him 21 goals on the year — a total that ranks among the best for players under 21 league-wide.

Defenseman Thomas Harley, another rising star for the Stars, was equally impressive. He logged a goal and two assists, including the pivotal third-period equalizer — a one-time blast from the slot off a Jamie Benn feed. His ability to jump into the play offensively while maintaining composure in his own zone is earning him more minutes down the stretch.

Game Flow and Tactical Takeaways

Despite the final score, Dallas controlled much of the territorial play. They outshot Anaheim 9-2 in the opening period and 31-25 overall. The Stars’ special teams also looked sharp, converting on one of two power play chances, while Anaheim’s success came primarily from high-leverage moments — including Carlsson’s penalty shot and a five-on-three sequence.

From a tactical standpoint, Anaheim head coach Greg Cronin should be encouraged by the tenacity shown by his young players. However, lapses in defensive zone coverage and inability to clear rebounds proved costly. For Dallas, the Stars showed resilience — twice clawing back from deficits and tightening up in crunch time, a hallmark of veteran-laden playoff teams.

Standings Implications

With the win, Dallas improved to 43-21-3 (89 points), extending their lead for second place in the Central Division to four points over the Colorado Avalanche, with a game in hand. Since the trade deadline, the Stars are 2-2-1 — not the hottest stretch, but solid enough to keep them in the driver’s seat for home-ice advantage in the first round.

Anaheim, on the other hand, dropped to 29-31-8 (66 points) and sits nine points back of the second Wild Card spot in the West. With just 14 games remaining, their playoff hopes are flickering. While the development of players like Carlsson and Nesterenko is promising, the margin for error is gone.

What’s Next

The Ducks continue their road swing Thursday in Nashville, where they’ll face the Predators for the third and final time this season. Anaheim has won both matchups so far and will look to complete the sweep at Bridgestone Arena.

The Stars will host the Tampa Bay Lightning in a high-stakes cross-conference battle. It’s a rematch of the 2020 Stanley Cup Final and a potential preview of this year’s postseason. With both teams eyeing better playoff positioning, expect another playoff-caliber atmosphere in Dallas.

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Final Thoughts

Tuesday’s game reinforced the contrasting paths of these two franchises. The Stars are in win-now mode — led by a mix of proven stars and impactful youth — and looking to capitalize on a wide-open Western Conference. The Ducks, though currently on the outside looking in, continue to lay the foundation for a competitive future.

For fans, it was the perfect kind of game: drama, goals, and a walk-off finish from an unlikely hero. For the Stars, it was another two points. For the Ducks, it was a lesson learned.

And for the rest of us? It was hockey at its finest.