DALLAS — Despite a 5-3 loss to the Utah Hockey Club on Wednesday, the Dallas Stars found positives in the game, particularly with several players hitting career milestones ahead of the playoffs.
Wyatt Johnston recorded his 32nd goal of the season, tying his career high, and reached 70 points—making him the first player in franchise history to do so at age 21 or younger, according to NHL Stats.
Roope Hintz matched two personal bests, registering his 38th assist and winning 12 faceoffs. Sam Steel contributed his 18th assist, equaling his personal best from his time with Minnesota.
Colin Blackwell posted his 11th assist, including his first shorthanded, while Brendan Smith scored his first goal as a Dallas Star, also shorthanded, making him the 19th player in team history to achieve that feat.
Mikael Granlund played in his 900th NHL game, joining the ranks of the 11th Finnish player to reach this milestone.
After the game, Stars head coach Pete DeBoer emphasized the importance of health heading into the postseason:
“We got through without any injuries, and the playoffs start in five days, so that’s all I care about,” DeBoer said. “We want to get through these games, work on a few things, and make sure we’re as healthy as we can be come Saturday.”
With playoff positioning secured, Dallas will face the Colorado Avalanche in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Before that, the Stars will finish their last two regular-season games on the road against Detroit and Nashville. The team now turns its attention to the Cup chase.
