Kari Lehtonen Gets First Career Playoff Win As Stars Shut Out Ducks

Apr 21, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Stars goalie Kari Lehtonen (32) makes a save as Anaheim Ducks right wing Teemu Selanne (8) tries to redirect the puck during the third period in game three of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center. The Stars shut out the Ducks 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The Dallas Stars kept the home ice trend in the Western Conference going as they used 37 saves from Kari Lehtonen to shut out the Anaheim Ducks 3-0.  Jamie Benn, Valeri Nichushkin and Ryan Garbutt scored for the Stars, one in each period as they got back into the series after dropping both games in Anaheim.

Frederik Andersen allowed 3 goals on just 22 shots for his first career playoff loss as the Ducks dominated most of the game but couldn’t solve Lehtonen. It was Lehtonen’s first playoff win after dropping his first 4 decisions (2 as an Atlanta Thrasher in 2007and 2 in this series).

This game also took an aggressive turn as the Ducks felt some Stars players were taking liberties with captain Ryan Getzlaf and the facial protection he was wearing to protect his mouth and jaw after blocking a shot late in the third period of game 1.  Antoine Roussel in particular gave 2 or 3 gloved punches to the face of Getzlaf, drawing a crowd.  It also sparked a battle of words in the post-game press conferences of the respective coaches.  There was also another scuffle late in the third period that drew misconduct penalties to the Ducks Devante Smith-Pelly as well as the Stars’ Patrick Nemeth, followed second later by another misconduct to Patrick Maroon as the officials tried to keep control of the game.

In the Western Conference, teams are 11-0 at home so far this spring, highlighting the importance of home ice advantage.  Dallas hosts game 4 Wednesday night.