Jake Oettinger stopped 27 shots as the Dallas Stars shut out the Vegas Golden Knights 4-0 on Monday, marking coach Pete DeBoer’s victorious return to Vegas.
This was DeBoer’s first game back at T-Mobile Arena since being dismissed by the Golden Knights after they missed the playoffs last season. Despite his firing, DeBoer had a successful tenure with Vegas, posting a 98-50-12 record over 2 1/2 seasons, making the playoffs twice, and winning the Pacific Division once.
At 6:48 of the first period, the Golden Knights honored DeBoer and assistant coach Steve Spott with a video tribute, and the crowd warmly applauded both.
“I loved my time here,” DeBoer said before the game. “I kept my house here. We’ve considered retiring here, we like it so much. Just loved everything about it, and it’s nice to be back. I thought we played a lot of really good hockey in the short time we were here.”
DeBoer had been behind the Golden Knights’ bench the last time they were shut out, a 4-0 loss to Edmonton on April 16. Dallas recorded its first shutout since a 5-0 win over Anaheim on Dec. 1.
With 59 points, the Stars tied Winnipeg for first place in the Central Division, though the Jets have a game in hand. Vegas remains atop the Pacific Division with 58 points.
Dallas opened the scoring at 5:45 in the first period when captain Jamie Benn scored from the slot. Benn moved past Neal Broten for second place on the Stars’ career games played list with 993. Mike Modano holds the franchise record with 1,459 games.
Joel Kiviranta, Ryan Suter, and Tyler Seguin also scored for the Stars. Seguin’s empty-netter goal extended his scoring streak to three games. Ty Dellandrea had two assists.
Oettinger earned his third shutout of the season—his first since Dec. 1 against Anaheim—and the fifth of his career.
Dallas controlled the game, apart from a late second-period surge by the Golden Knights when they had their best opportunities to score.
The Golden Knights struggled to establish an offensive rhythm due to juggling their lines with left wing William Carrier out after suffering an upper-body injury on Saturday against Edmonton. Carrier has five goals and 11 assists in 43 games.
Vegas usually starts games with its fourth line to set a physical tone, but it began this game with its first line. However, Dallas effectively handled whatever lineup the Knights put on the ice.
UP NEXT
- Stars: At San Jose on Wednesday.
- Golden Knights: Host Detroit on Thursday.