The Dallas Stars found little room for sentiment on long-time leader Mike Modano’s return to his spiritual home by easing to a 4-1 victory over the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday.
Stepping onto the Dallas ice for the first time as a visiting player, Modano receiving a rousing ovation when he was introduced, in recognition of his 20 seasons with the Stars franchise before signing with Detroit.
“There was just a world of emotions and memories,” the 40-year-old Modano told reporters. “I was involved in the game from the ground floor, helping to promote the game of hockey here in Texas. It was fun to play here.”
Photo: AFP
Once the game was underway, Dallas wasted little time getting down to business when Brad Richards scored 41 seconds into the contest and the Stars added three more goals in the second period to bury the Red Wings and improve to 3-0-0.
Brenden Morrow registered his team-leading fourth goal of the season at 7:03 in the second, while Loui Eriksson and James Neal also tallied for Dallas.
Stars goaltender Kari Lehtonen finished with 25 saves and appeared on course for a shutout before Niklas Kronwall grabbed a consolation goal with 8:35 remaining.
Lehtonen was acquired by Dallas last season in a trade with the Atlanta Thrashers and has enjoyed a strong start to the campaign.
The Stars franchise leader in goals, assists and points, Modano was unable to register a meaningful contribution on his big return.
“It was a night but we hadn’t won three in a row in a year, and we had some jump in hour legs,” Morrow said.
As if the defeat was not bad enough, the Red Wings (2-1-1) lost key forward Johan Franzen with an upper body injury in the first period.
Lightning 3, Flyers 2
In Philadelphia, Simon Gagne made his emotional return to Philadelphia as Tampa Bay beat the Flyers.
Gagne, a playoff hero last season in the Flyers’ run to the Stanley Cup finals, spent the first 10 seasons of his career with Philadelphia before being dealt to Tampa Bay during the summer to clear salary cap space.
Steven Stamkos, Dominic Moore and Paval Kubina scored for the Lightning.
Nikolay Zherdev and Danny Briere scored for Philadelphia.
Predators 4, Blues 3
In Nashville, Tennessee, Nashville improved to a 3-0 start for only the second time in franchise history by beating St Louis.
Steve Sullivan scored twice, while Marcel Goc and Patric Hornqvist also scored for the Predators.
Dating to last season, the Predators have beaten the Blues five consecutive times.
Wild 4, Oilers 2
In St Paul, Minnesota, Mikko Koivu scored two of Minnesota’s four power-play goals as the Wild beat Edmonton at home for the 14th straight time.
Antti Miettinen and Matt Cullen each had a goal and an assist for Minnesota, which tied the longest current home winning streak against a team. Nashville have beaten Columbus 14 straight times in Tennessee.
Minnesota have now won nine straight home openers.
Dustin Penner and Tom Gilbert scored for Edmonton.
Senators 3, Hurricanes 2
In Ottawa, the hosts notched their first win of the season after three defeats by downing Carolina.
Mike Fisher scored his second goal of the game on a power play 14:03 into the third for what proved the winner.
Carolina had scored goals 1:39 apart earlier in the period to tie it 2-2.
Milan Michalek also scored for the Senators. Carolina captain Eric Staal assisted on Sergei Samsonov’s goal in the third before drawing the Hurricanes even with his first of the season.
Panthers 3, Flames 0
In Calgary, Radek Dvorak scored twice in a 3:05 span of the first period to set up Florida’s win over Calgary.
Fellow Czech star Tomas Vokoun made 27 saves for his 39th career shutout.
Shawn Matthias added a goal midway through the third period for Florida, which opened the season with one-goal losses in Edmonton and Vancouver.
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