Dallas Stars surge past Kraken 3-1 behind early goals and stellar goaltending from DeSmith

The Dallas Stars continued their red-hot momentum on Monday night with a strong 3-1 victory over the Seattle Kraken at Climate Pledge Arena. Fueled by early goals from Matt Duchene and Wyatt Johnston and a standout 35-save performance from goaltender Casey DeSmith, the Stars silenced the home crowd and secured yet another crucial win on the road.

Despite conceding an early goal just 1:02 into the game to Seattle’s Kaapo Kakko — who set a new personal-best with his 41st point of the season — the Stars responded swiftly. Matt Duchene tied things up with a clinical finish that caught Kraken goalie Philipp Grubauer off-guard. Less than two minutes later, Wyatt Johnston battled through traffic in front of the net to bury his shot, giving Dallas a 2-1 lead.

Johnston’s goal wasn’t just a turning point in the game — it also marked his fifth consecutive game with a goal, highlighting the young forward’s growing confidence and impact as the regular season winds down.

Goalie Casey DeSmith was a brick wall for Dallas, making 35 saves and keeping the Kraken scoreless through the final two periods. His sharp positioning and reflex saves frustrated Seattle’s forwards, particularly during a late second-period flurry that could have easily changed the momentum.

Seattle’s netminder Philipp Grubauer, making his first start since March 19, also turned in a solid performance with 28 saves. However, the Kraken struggled to convert on offensive opportunities and couldn’t capitalize on two late power-play chances.

With just 1:07 remaining in regulation, Dallas forward Mikael Granlund sealed the win with an empty-net goal, capping off a disciplined and efficient performance from the visiting Stars.

Newly acquired winger Mikko Rantanen, playing his first game as a Dallas Star, spoke after the match about how smoothly he’s integrated into the team. “It’s been amazing — great chemistry already,” Rantanen said. “Everyone plays hard and knows their role. I’m excited for what’s ahead.”

The win marks another step forward for Dallas as they inch closer to playoff positioning, showing resilience, depth, and a knack for stepping up in big moments.

With their current road trip coming to a successful close, the Stars will head home carrying momentum, confidence, and a team firing on all cylinders.