Stars erupt in opener
Pavelski, Radulov key 7-0 rout of Predators
DALLAS — Joe Pavelski had two goals and two assists, and Alexander Radulov also scored twice, helping Dallas beat the Nashville Predators 7-0 on Friday in the Stars’ delayed season opener.
Dallas unveiled its Western Conference championship banner before the first period. Anton Khudobin stopped 34 shots in his first season-opening start, ninth shutout and 100th regular-season win, and Joel Kiviranta had a goal and an assist.
Five of the Stars’ goals came in the second period, including three power-play goals and an unassisted short-handed wrist shot by Esa Lindell.
Dallas was the last NHL team to open the season after its first four games, all scheduled on the road, were postponed because 17 players tested positive for COVID-19 during training camp.
Only veteran forward Blake Comeau was unavailable for the first game because of COVID protocols, though the league doesn’t specify the exact reason.
The Stars were at home for the first time in 318 days, since a 4-2 loss to the New York Rangers on March 10 that was their sixth loss in a row. When the season resumed months later with the playoffs in the NHL bubble in Edmonton, Dallas reached its first Stanley Cup Final since 2000 before losing in Game 6 against Tampa Bay.
A socially distanced crowd of 4,214 attended the opener. The normal hockey capacity is 18,532 at American Airlines Center.
Penguins 4, Rangers 3, SO: At
Pittsburgh, Kris Letang scored the decisive shootout goal to back Tristan Jarry, who had 31 saves through overtime, as Pittsburgh overcame a 3-1 deficit.
■ Capitals 4, Sabres 3, SO: At Washington, defenseman John Carlson scored the lone shootout goal to back Vitek Vanececk, who stopped 24 shots through overtime.
■ Maple Leafs 4, Oilers 2: Attoronto, John Tavares scored a tiebreaking power-play goal at 11:46 of the third period to back Frederik Andersen, who had 30 saves.
■ Wild 4, Sharks 1: At St. Paul, Minn., Zach Parise scored his first goal of the season to break a second-period tie, and Joel Eriksson Ek had a goal and an assist.
■ Avalanche 3, Ducks 2, OT: At Anaheim, Calif., Gabriel Landeskog scored 1:38 into overtime and had an assist to back Philipp Grubauer, who had 36 saves.
■ Blackhawks 4, Red Wings 1: At Chicago, Patrick Kane had a goal and assist to back Kevin Lankinen, who stopped 30 shots in his first NHL win.