Mikko Rantanen delivered a four-point performance to lead the Dallas Stars to a 4-0 shutout against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center on Thursday. Rantanen collected one goal and three assists, factoring into every Dallas scoring play as the visitors pulled away in the second period.
Jason Robertson opened the scoring for Dallas at 9:03 of the first period. Robertson beat Buffalo goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen with an even-strength snap shot, set up by passes from Rantanen and Wyatt Johnston. Dallas carried that 1-0 advantage into the first intermission after generating six shots on goal in the opening frame.
The Stars extended their cushion with three goals during the second period. Sam Steel scored his first goal of the season at 9:36, using a snap shot off feeds from Thomas Harley and Rantanen. Less than five minutes later, Rantanen lifted a backhand shot past Luukkonen at 13:57 following assists from Nils Lundkvist and Johnston. Roope Hintz then recorded his first goal of the season on a power-play snap shot at 15:34, with Johnston and Rantanen assisting to push the lead to 4-0.
Jake Oettinger stopped all 26 shots he faced to earn the victory and secure a shutout for Dallas. Luukkonen turned aside 14 of 18 shots for Buffalo in the loss. Dallas converted one of its two power-play opportunities, while the Sabres failed to score on three chances with the man advantage. Dallas also controlled the faceoff circle, winning 38 of 61 draws.
The win lifted the Stars to a 2-2-0 record on the season and extended their winning streak to two games. Buffalo also moved to 2-2-0 on the year following the defeat.
Dallas will host the Boston Bruins on Tuesday, October 20. The Sabres will host the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday, October 21.
