Late Hawk goal not enough as Stars win opener 2-1

 

DALLAS—Kari Lehtonen assured a successful NHL debut for Dallas Stars coach Glen Gulutzan. Lehtonen stopped 37 shots, Alex Goligoski and Jamie Benn scored second-period goals, and the Stars held on for a 2-1 decision over the Blackhawks on Friday night in the opener for both teams. Gulutzan was promoted over the summer by general manager Joe Nieuwendyk from the Stars’ AHL affiliate to succeed Marc Crawford, who was fired at the end of last season after the team missed the playoffs for a third straight season. Lehtonen was at his best in the second period, making a series of sliding saves while the Blackhawks built a 22-12 shots advantage, a total pumped up by three power plays. Lehtonen came up with a key stop with about five minutes left on Jamal Mayers’ short-handed attempt from the left circle, and denied Patrick Sharp on a solo rush with four minutes remaining. With goalie Corey Crawford on the bench in favor of a sixth attacker, Nick Leddy scored from the left circle with 13.6 seconds to play as the Hawks avoided the shutout. Crawford made 31 saves. The teams will meet again Saturday night for the Hawks home opener in the United Center.